In a forceful address before the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil issued a formal demand for the liberation of former President Nicolas Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from U.S. custody. The diplomatic confrontation stems from the January 3rd operation conducted by American authorities that resulted in Maduro’s removal from power and subsequent detention.
Minister Gil characterized Maduro as the ‘constitutional president’ of Venezuela while condemning what Caracas views as an unlawful seizure of its democratically elected leader. The Venezuelan delegation’s appearance at the UN’s premier human rights forum signals an escalation in diplomatic efforts to challenge Washington’s actions through international institutions.
The development occurs alongside domestic unrest within Venezuela, where thousands have recently demonstrated to demand Maduro’s release. Concurrently, the administration led by Maduro’s allies has announced sweeping judicial reforms including a mass amnesty proposal and plans to shutter the notorious El Helicoide prison facility. These moves appear calculated to bolster governmental legitimacy amid the ongoing political crisis.
According to independent monitoring organizations, at least 80 political prisoners have been freed in Venezuela recently, though the circumstances surrounding these releases remain unclear. The situation continues to evolve as both domestic and international actors maneuver for position in Venezuela’s protracted political struggle.