ARRESTO DE JUAN GUANIPA

Juan Pablo Guanipa is a Venezuelan lawyer, politician, and prominent opposition figure, born on December 20, 1964, in Maracaibo, Zulia. He is a key member of the Justice First (Primero Justicia) party and has held significant roles, including deputy and First Vice President of the National Assembly (2020–2021), and was elected governor of Zulia in 2017, though he was prevented from assuming the role after refusing to swear allegiance to the controversial National Constituent Assembly (ANC).[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Pablo_Guanipa)[](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Pablo_Guanipa)

Guanipa has been a vocal critic of Nicolás Maduro’s regime, aligning closely with opposition leader María Corina Machado. Following the disputed July 2024 presidential election, where the opposition claimed victory for candidate Edmundo González, Guanipa faced intensified persecution. He went into hiding after multiple alleged kidnapping attempts by regime forces. On May 23, 2025, he was arrested by Venezuelan authorities, accused by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello of leading a “terrorist plot” to disrupt upcoming legislative elections. The opposition, including Machado, denounced the arrest as part of a broader crackdown, with over 50 activists, journalists, and politicians detained.[](https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c0j79wj349eo)[](https://www.infobae.com/venezuela/2025/05/23/juan-pablo-guanipa-y-otros-colaboradores-cercanos-a-maria-corina-machado-fueron-detenidos-por-el-regimen-de-maduro-en-venezuela/)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/venezuela-opposition-leader-guanipa-under-arrest-interior-minister-2025-05-23/)

His brother Pedro Guanipa was detained in September 2024, allegedly to pressure Juan Pablo, with accusations of corruption tied to Maracaibo’s mayor’s office. Guanipa rejected these claims, asserting they were fabricated under coercion. Another brother, Tomás Guanipa, is also a notable opposition politician and former deputy.[](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Pablo_Guanipa)[](https://www.infobae.com/venezuela/2024/10/24/el-opositor-venezolano-juan-pablo-guanipa-dijo-que-la-acusacion-en-su-contra-se-obtuvo-via-coaccion/)[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom%25C3%25A1s_Guanipa)

Guanipa’s political career began with the Copei party, supporting Rafael Caldera’s 1983 campaign, before joining Justice First in 2003. He has served as a Zulia state legislator (1994–1996), Maracaibo councilor (2005–2013), and National Assembly deputy (2015–2017, 2018–2021). His refusal to recognize the ANC in 2017 made him a symbol of resistance, though it cost him his governorship.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Pablo_Guanipa)[](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Pablo_Guanipa)[](https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-41752308)

Posts on X reflect ongoing support for Guanipa, highlighting his defiance and the opposition’s call for resistance against Maduro’s regime, though these are not conclusive evidence. His detention has drawn international attention, with critics labeling it state terrorism amid Venezuela’s escalating political crisis.[](https://www.bbc.com/mundo/articles/c0j79wj349eo)[](https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/venezuela/juan-pablo-guanipa-maria-corina-machado-denuncia-la-detencion-de-mas-de-50-personas-guanipa-entre-ellas-nicolas-maduro-venezuela-caracas-ultimas-noticia/)[](https://x.com/AP/status/1102611239702880257)

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