Venezuelan intelligence officers Thursday arrested the chief of staff of Juan Guaido, the opposition leader recognized by the US and other countries as interim leader, Guaido and the opposition-ruled congress said on Twitter.
Roberto Marrero was grabbed by SEBIN officers when they staged a pre-dawn raid on his Caracas home, according to Guaido and a recorded voice message by Marrero published on social media.
The United States has repeatedly warned Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s government against arresting Guaido or his aides, and Washington’s Secretary of State Mike Pompeo quickly called for Marrero’s release.
“They have grabbed Roberto Marrero, my chief of staff. He yelled out that they planted two rifles and a grenade,” Guaido tweeted. “The raid happened at around 2:00 am (0600 GMT). We don’t know his whereabouts. He must be released immediately.”
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