Javier Oropeza, former mayor of Torres, is detained and released hours after returning from exile

Opposition former mayor Javier Oropeza was detained in Barquisimeto and released hours later, El Pitazo reported. The detention came just 48 hours after Oropeza returned to the country from exile.

Before being detained, Oropeza publicly named military officials whom he says confiscated property belonging to him and his family without a court order, including two newspapers, two farms and more than 600 animals, according to El Pitazo.

«I hope the same pressure that appeared immediately over Javier Oropeza also appears for the civilian and military political prisoners who remain detained.»— Patricia Poleo, September 19, 2026 · watch