Opposition figure freed, then rearrested

Venezuelan Nobel peace laureate Maria Corina Machado said on Monday that armed government agents had “kidnapped” a close ally, hours after he was released from prison and demanded democratic elections.

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People attend a demonstration to demand the release of Venezuelan opposition politician Juan Pablo Guanipa, who was rearrested hours after his release on Sunday, in Maracaibo, on Monday.

(REUTERS)

Ms Machado said a group of heavily armed men in civilian clothes seized Juan Pablo Guanipa, 61, in the Los Chorros district of Caracas.

The former National Assembly vice president had walked out of jail on Sunday as part of a slow-moving wave of political prisoner releases.

The Public Prosecutor's Office later confirmed Mr Guanipa had been detained for violating the terms of his release and would be placed under house arrest, without providing details.

Mr Guanipa's son, Ramon Guanipa, demanded proof of life.

“He didn’t violate any of the conditions of his release, and we don’t know where he is,’ he said.

Mr Guanipa’s arrest sent a chilling message to those pushing for democratic reforms in Venezuela, especially Ms Machado who is pondering a return to her homeland from exile in the United States.