Venezuela Arrests More Activists in Alleged Nicolas Maduro Assassination Attempt

As the Venezuelan elections approached, the Nicolas Maduro regime ramped up its campaign against the opposition, arresting more people in the alleged plot to assassinate the dictator. However, as this is happening, the US has vowed to reimpose the sanctions it previously eased unless Maduro commits to free and fair elections, which he is doing the opposite of with the crackdown.

Venezuela Attorney General Tarek Saab stated on Monday that Carlos Julio Rojas, a journalist, t was arrested for his alleged involvement in the alleged assassination attempt against President Nicolas Maduro last month.

According to Reuters, Saab claimed that Rojas was arrested in central Caracas "for being linked and directly identified as an instigator and logistical operator in the assassination attempt" against Nicolas Maduro.

The alleged assassination attempt reportedly took place on March 25, and the Venezuelan government accused several prominent opposition members of being behind it, including staffers for former opposition candidate Maria Corina Machado.

Rojas will be charged with association, terrorism, conspiracy, instigation to commit a crime, and attempted assassination, as reported by Venezuelan state TV. This is the latest arrest in the alleged assassination plot, though critics say it is just one of Maduro's usual tactics to undermine the opposition as the elections approach.

Venezuela Regime Ramping Up Attacks on Free Speech as Nicolas Maduro Runs for Re-Election

With the elections approaching on July 28, the Nicolas Maduro regime is not just targeting journalists and members of the opposition but anybody who speaks out against the Venezuelan dictator. This includes Oscar Alejandro Perez, a popular Venezuelan YouTuber who uploads travel videos.

According to The Conversation, Perez was arrested on terrorism charges on Sunday, March 31, before being detained and subsequently held for 32 hours. This is all because of a joke he made during one of his videos.

Under Maduro, there is widespread discontent, with many Venezuelans trying to flee the country and seek a better life elsewhere. The regime has been accused of crimes against humanity, with Maduro accused of using state institutions to silence critics.

US Deadline on Venezuela Sanctions Approaching Fast as Nicolas Maduro Continues Crackdown

As for the US, its temporary lifting of sanctions against Venezuela was made on the promise that Venezuela keeps the upcoming elections free and fair. With the harassment and arrests of opposition members, Venezuela is not fulfilling that promise. This means that the US may soon reimpose those sanctions, and the deadline for that is fast approaching.

"The list [of abuses] is so long," Ryan Berg, director of the Americas program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told NPR. "I think you need some kind of reimposition of sanctions to show that there's accountability."

The Biden administration previously reimposed several non-energy-related sanctions, with these latest ones to return being related to Venezuela's vast oil and gas industry. Should these sanctions be lifted, it could mean more economic hardships for Venezuela.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Why the U.S. is reinstating Venezuela sanctions - CBS News