Venezuelan opposition figure Juan Pablo Guanipa, a close ally of presidential candidate María Corina Machado, was arrested by government forces on Friday, just two days before the country’s regional and legislative elections.

Venezuelans still reeling from the outcome of last year’s presidential election did not respond Sunday to government calls to get out and vote for lawmakers, governors and other officials. That left voting centers practically empty at times and put officials on the defensive.

Venezuela detuvo el viernes al exdiputado Juan Pablo Guanipa, un colaborador cercano de la líder opositora María Corina Machado, a pocos días de las elecciones regionales y parlamentarias del domingo.

Their bravery inspires all those who fight for a more democratic future,” Rubio said while condemning the arbitrary detention of opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa and over 70 others amid Maduro's o