United States condemns arrest of Guaido's uncle in Venezuela

The United States condemned on Monday, 17, the arrest by Venezuela of the uncle of the opposition leader Juan Guaidó . Juan José Márquez was arrested last Tuesday at the Maiquetía International Airport, which serves the capital Caracas, and the US State Department classified the charges against him as absurd.

"The United States strongly condemns the arrest of Juan José Márquez and demands his immediate release," says the note from the federal agency.

Márquez was arrested after returning with a nephew from a tour of several countries, including the United States, organized to add support against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro . The opposition leader was welcomed into the White House by American President Donald Trump and was honored in his State of the Union address. 

The arrest came when Márquez and Guaidó landed in Caracas. The two took a flight from Portugal to Venezuela with the airline TAP. 

"The absurd accusations presented exemplify the growing despair of Maduro and his corrupt partners," criticizes the American note. According to Venezuelan authorities, Márquez flew from Portugal with hidden explosive material. Portuguese officials said this was impossible, but the country still opened an investigation into the case on Friday 14.

The State Department also accused the Chavista regime of “fabricating evidence” and President Nicolás Maduro of conducting “mafia practices”.

In Caracas , Guaidó guaranteed, on Saturday 15, that the arrest of his maternal uncle is a retaliation for returning to Venezuela after the international trip. The 36-year-old politician had left the country clandestinely on January 19, as he is prohibited from leaving Venezuela for various legal reasons.