Venezuelan Opposition Security Chief Arrested Amid Election Tensions

Milciades Avila, the security chief of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, was arrested, according to her Vente Venezuela movement. The detention takes place weeks before a crucial presidential election. Machado, barred from running, has her coalition supporting frontrunner Edmundo Gonzalez. The opposition claims governmental repression.

Milciades Avila, the security chief of Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, was detained early Wednesday, reported her Vente Venezuela movement on platform X. The arrest comes ahead of a crucial July 28 presidential election.

In the wake of Machado's court-imposed disqualification for alleged fraud, her coalition has rallied around diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez, who currently leads in polls over incumbent President Nicolas Maduro.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Communication and the Attorney General's Office have not yet responded to the arrest. Venezuela's opposition claims the arrest is part of a broader strategy to disrupt their campaign. International observers, including the United States, question the legitimacy of Maduro's past election wins, urging free and fair voting this month.

(With inputs from agencies.)