Venezuela opposition adviser holed up in Argentine residence calls it ‘prison’

The Argentine diplomatic residence in Caracas, where five members of the Venezuelan opposition are staying to avoid arrest, has become a “prison”, one opposition member staying there said on Saturday.

The residence has been without power for more than a month, Magalli Meda, adviser to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, said on social media.

“It’s a violation of our human rights. It’s become an embassy prison,” she wrote.

The Venezuelan government claims the power cut came after the residence did not pay the electricity bill.

The opposition members have been holed up in the residence since warrants were issued for their arrest in March.

In July, Venezuela held contested presidential elections in which both President Nicolas Maduro and the opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez claimed victory. The opposition has presented detailed vote counts in its favour, while Maduro has not.