Opposition MP leaves embassy after Maduro pardon

Opposition lawmaker Freddy Guevara left the residence of the Chilean ambassador in Caracas on Wednesday, where he had been a refugee since 2017, after being granted a presidential pardon along with about 100 other opposition members.

Guevara entered the diplomatic residence after authorities opened a judicial process against him.

"I came out not to be threatened, nor to feel threatened, but to testify that despite the threats, you have to fight for freedom," said the leader of the Voluntad Popular (People's Will) party, admitting that although he fears being arrested, he decided to leave the diplomatic headquarters.

The judicial authorities opened a process against Guevara after the violent protests of 2017, which he led together with dozens of his colleagues in the opposition.

The 34-year-old leader announced that he will resume his activities as a congressman to fight for "free elections" and support the boycott approved last month by more than 27 opposition organizations against the December 6th parliamentary elections, which the opposition has called "electoral fraud".

"What can help us find a solution in the short term is a political agreement with those who have Maduro in power today, to agree on a transitional government that will lead to free presidential elections," said Guevara.

Later Wednesday Juan Guaido addressed the press via a zoom conference and insisted it would be a mistake to participate in parliamentary elections with Maduro in power.

"Today more than ever Venezuela demands solutions, concrete alternatives, without forgetting what we have built, the capacities we have generated and the possible solutions to each of the problems (we face)," Guaido said

Guevara's departure from diplomatic headquarters follows the pardons that President Nicolas Maduro granted earlier this week to 110 opponents, some of whom were being prosecuted for various crimes.

Maduro granted the pardons following talks between former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles and opposition legislator Stalin Gonzalez with government representatives supported by Turkey.