Former Mayor Javier Oropeza Arrested and Released in Barquisimeto Upon Return to Venezuela
The former mayor of Torres municipality was arrested hours after returning to the country and was freed on Thursday night with precautionary measures.
Former Mayor Released Following Detention in Barquisimeto Upon Return to Country
According to prensaoriente.com.ve, the former mayor of Torres municipality, Javier Oropeza, was released on Thursday evening 17 September, a few hours after being detained in Barquisimeto, Lara state.
Oropeza had returned to Venezuela on Wednesday 16 September, after more than two years abroad. On the same day of his arrival, he presented himself at the Palace of Justice in Caracas to process the dismissal of the case opened against him, under the framework of the Amnesty Law.
The detention occurred as he was leaving an interview at the offices of the newspaper El Informador in Barquisimeto. Political organisations reported that security officials approached the political leader and circulated a video showing a struggle before he was placed into a van.
Oropeza was subsequently transferred to a judicial facility in Barquisimeto, where he remained for several hours. Political leaders Juan Pablo Guanipa and Freddy Superlano went to police facilities to request information about his whereabouts, while citizens gathered in the surrounding areas to demand his release.
Upon leaving the courts, Oropeza stated that he could not provide details about the procedure or about the judicial process. He highlighted the work of the public defence that assisted him and stated: "We continue in the struggle and work for Venezuela".
According to information published this Friday by Verifica Venezuela, the former mayor was subject to precautionary measures. The details of said measures have not been made public.
Source: Google News VE — Crime