Guacamaya, February 26, 2025. Venezuelan opposition leader Fernando Martínez Mottola passed away this Wednesday at the age of 70, two months after leaving the Embassy of Argentina in Caracas, where he had sought refuge after being accused by Venezuelan authorities of conspiracy and treason against the homeland.
Martínez Mottola took refuge in the Argentine embassy in March 2024 along with five other political leaders. However, nine months later, in December, the opposition representative left the diplomatic residence and presented himself before the Public Ministry.
According to Attorney General Tarek William Saab, Martínez Mottola provided statements about alleged violent and conspiratorial acts that were being organized at the diplomatic headquarters following the July elections. This action allowed the opposition leader to receive conditional freedom.
Martínez Mottola had a long political career in Venezuela. He served as Minister of Transport and Communications during the second term of Carlos Andrés Pérez. Additionally, he worked as one of the main advisors to Juan Guaidó and was one of the opposition representatives during the negotiation process with the government in Norway.
Recently, he collaborated closely with María Corina Machado, contributing to the articulation of the Strategy Commission of the Unitary Platform to strengthen its electoral prospects in the country.
Emilio Figueredo, former ambassador and close to Martínez Mottola, told AFP that the leader had suffered “a massive stroke,” though further details remain unknown.
Martínez Mottola was known for his public service and participation in Venezuelan politics, and his passing prompted various reactions from his colleagues, including Henrique Capriles Radonsky and Antonio Ledezma, who expressed their condolences.
