The Venezuelan opposition leader denounces 37 arrests of activists this year

Maria Corina Machado accuses the Maduro regime of ‘arbitrary detentions’ of opposition activists – Copyright AFP Gabriela Oraa

Thirty-seven political and social activists have been detained in Venezuela ahead of the July 28 elections in which Nicolas Maduro will seek a third consecutive presidential term, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said on Monday.

Machado, who overwhelmingly won last year’s opposition primaries but has been barred from running by institutions loyal to Maduro, told reporters in Caracas that the regime was “criminalizing electoral activities.”

So far this year, she said, “37 political and social leaders have been detained” under a system she described as “tyranny.”

Ten of them were directly linked to the opposition campaign led by Machado, but represented by Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as a candidate on the ballot.

“Arbitrary detentions and temporary enforced disappearances have taken place,” Machado said, adding that the “campaign of terror” directed against the opposition was indicative of “a regime that knows it has lost all support and all respect.”

Two of her associates were arrested Monday as they left campaign headquarters to buy lunch, Machado added, and taken to a prison described by rights groups as a “torture center.”

The Venezuelan opposition has long denounced the “political persecution” of its leaders and activists.

This included actions such as closing or fining hotels or restaurants that serve Machado – who polls show would easily defeat Maduro in a free and fair vote – or members of her team.

Last Friday, three opposition activists were arrested after organizing a campaign event attended by Urrutia.

In April, rights group Foro Penal warned of a “significant intensification of… persecution” in Venezuela ahead of presidential elections.

According to a recent count by the NGO Foro Penal, there were 278 “political prisoners” in Venezuela.

The government, which has not commented on claims of arbitrary arrests, accuses the opposition of plotting against Maduro.