Prominent Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa was kidnapped in Caracas just hours after his release from eight months in prison, according to his son and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado. The incident occurred Sunday night as Guanipa was ambushed by ten heavily armed men in civilian clothes, raising questions about the Venezuelan government's commitment to releasing political prisoners.

Guanipa's son Ramon posted a video on social media demanding proof of life, while Machado condemned the abduction on X, noting the men arrived in four vehicles and took his father away by force in the Los Chorros area of the capital. The kidnapping casts doubt on President Nicolas Maduro's recent promises to pass an amnesty law and free more prisoners amid mounting U.S. pressure following Maduro's ouster last month.

The incident follows a pattern of detentions used to suppress dissent, according to human rights groups. Rights organization Foro Penal reported 383 political prisoners released since January 8, with another 35 freed Sunday including opposition politicians Freddy Superlano and Perkins Rocha. The Venezuelan government has not provided an official list of prisoners to be released or clarified the timeline.

Quick Fact: Rights group Foro Penal has said 383 political prisoners had been let go since the Venezuelan government announced on January 8 that it would begin a new series of releases.