“Las Guacamayas,” Venezuelan opposition members released from the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, thank the U.S. and Marco Rubio for the rescue operation.

A coalition of five Venezuelan activists, part of the entourage of opposition leader María Corina Machado and the newly elected president Edmundo González Urrutia, had a significant meeting this Friday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This encounter followed their dramatic rescue from an extended confinement within the walls of the Argentine Embassy in Caracas. The activists conveyed profound appreciation to the U.S. for orchestrating the operation that liberated them from their predicament.

These opposition figures, who had been ensnared in what felt like a diplomatic prison thanks to Nicolás Maduro’s regime, underscored the importance of their release. They articulated, “This act is both a humanitarian and political victory that reinforces the democratic will expressed by Venezuelans in the July 28, 2024 elections, where Edmundo González Urrutia was legitimately elected president,” highlighting the significance of their struggle for democracy.

The freed individuals — Magallí Meda, Pedro Urruchurtu, Claudia Macero, Humberto Villalobos, and Omar González Moreno, along with a homage to their late comrade Fernando Martínez Mottola — commended the audacity and precision of the operation that secured their freedom. In a collective declaration, they remarked: “The bravery of Secretary Rubio and the unwavering support of President Donald Trump made this milestone possible. The United States stands as a pillar of freedom in our region.”

Marco Rubio, characterizing the activists as “brave defenders of democracy,” played a pivotal role in spotlighting their plight and rallying international efforts for their release. He referred to the operation as a “successful rescue of individuals held by the Maduro regime,” emphasizing that it was achieved through meticulous coordination with global allies.

Affectionately dubbed “Las Guacamayas” — a tribute to the colorful parrots that grace the skies of Caracas — these opposition members endured over a year of isolation within the embassy, deprived of essential services like water, electricity, and medicine. The parrots, which frequently visited the asylum-seekers and were fed by them, became emblematic of their tenacity and resolve.

“This rescue demonstrates that oppression is not invincible and that freedom can triumph,” declared one of the liberated activists. While the specifics of the operation remain classified for security reasons, the activists emphasized that their liberation highlights Machado’s and her team’s unwavering commitment to never abandon political prisoners, fostering hope for a future where Venezuela can achieve full freedom.

The meeting in Washington fortified the bonds between the United States and the Venezuelan struggle for democracy. “Supporting us means standing in solidarity with all Venezuelans persecuted for defending the truth, with the political prisoners who still suffer, and with the cause of freedom across the Americas,” affirmed one of the freed individuals.