Panama Condemns the Maduro Regime’s Siege of the Argentine Embassy in Caracas Venezuela

Panama expressed its firm condemnation of the siege of the Embassy of the Republic of Argentina in Caracas at the hands of the Nicolás Maduro regime, a fact that constitutes a flagrant violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. This international treaty guarantees the inviolability of diplomatic missions, their personnel and all persons under asylum in these facilities. Through an official statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Panamanian Government warned that the events recorded in recent days represent a serious threat to the physical and mental integrity of the refugees who are inside the Argentine embassy.  In its statement, Panama called on the Venezuelan government to respect international regulations related to the right to asylum, demanding that the embassy’s security be guaranteed and that hostilities against this diplomatic representation cease.  “Panama urges the Government of Venezuela to comply with its international obligations regarding asylum, to ensure the security of the Embassy of the Republic of Argentina and to cease hostile actions against it.” the statement said.

The Panamanian government also called on the international community to join in condemning the acts of aggression and pressure against the Argentine diplomatic headquarters in Caracas, stressing the importance of protecting the fundamental principles of international law that govern diplomatic relations and respect for human rights.  This event occurs in a context of growing political tensions in Venezuela, where diplomatic spaces, especially the Argentine embassy, ​​which has served as a refuge for opponents of the Nicolás Maduro regime, have been under threats and sieges that contravene international legal provisions. Panama reaffirms its commitment to the defense of democracy, human rights and respect for international institutions. 

Last Wednesday, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado made an “urgent call” to address what she called “a state of siege” at the residence of the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where six of her collaborators are sheltering.  “The regime has turned the diplomatic residence into a prison, in front of the eyes of the world, violating all international agreements,” denounced Machado in X, who has declared herself in hiding.  Only the six opposition members who have been refugees since March, accused of “terrorism”, are in the diplomatic headquarters, awaiting safe-conduct passes to leave the country.  The diplomatic staff left when President Nicolás Maduro broke off relations with Argentina after Javier Milei’s government rejected his re-election in July. Brazil then took over custody of the embassy.  The refugees, including Machado’s right-hand woman, Magalli Meda, reported that authorities cut off electricity 10 days ago and imposed restrictions on the passage of drinking water and food.  According to Machado, more than 20 security agents showed up in the early hours of Wednesday in the vicinity of the embassy. “The presence of the officials, with an aggressive attitude, included harassment and instructions related to a possible entry into the diplomatic headquarters,” he said.  Although Venezuela revoked Brazil’s permission to host the embassy, ​​the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced that it would continue to defend Argentina’s interests.