(CARACAS, Venezuela) — Masked security forces detained a key aide to Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido in a raid on his home early Thursday, arriving in a convoy of vehicles and breaking down his door in a show of force that escalated tensions with the United States.
Lawyer Roberto Marrero was taken away by intelligence agents in an overnight operation that was promptly condemned by Guaido as well as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who called for the immediate release of the opposition figure.
“We will hold accountable those involved,” Pompeo tweeted.
The United States condemns raids by Maduro’s security services and detention of Roberto Marrero, Chief of Staff to Interim President @jguaido. We call for his immediate release. We will hold accountable those involved.
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 21, 2019
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