Venezuelan security forces have cordoned off the Argentine embassy in Caracas, where six Venezuelan political figures seeking refuge are taking shelter. The opposition members inside the embassy described the situation as a "siege" orchestrated by President Nicolás Maduro's regime. Images and videos posted by opposition figures showed Venezuelan intelligence officers forming a perimeter around the embassy complex, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of those inside.

The Argentine embassy, along with Argentine interests in Venezuela, had been represented by Brazil since diplomatic relations between the two countries deteriorated over the outcome of Venezuela's presidential election earlier this year. On Saturday, the Venezuelan government revoked Brazil's custody of the embassy, apparently in a bid to remove its diplomatic protection.

Argentina, like several other countries, disputed the official results of the presidential election, which granted President Maduro a third term. Opposition members claimed that their candidate, Edmundo González, won the election based on their own tally, but these claims have not been recognized by Western nations. Russia and China, however, have expressed support for Maduro's victory.

The recent actions by the Venezuelan government come after the Argentine foreign ministry announced its intention to seek arrest warrants for President Maduro and other senior officials from the International Criminal Court. The situation inside the embassy escalated as reports emerged of an increasing presence of masked officials surrounding the building.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado's adviser, Pedro Urruchurtu Noselli, highlighted the heightened tension, stating that vehicular traffic on the street had been closed off and that the embassy had been without electricity since Friday evening. Omar Gonzalez Moreno, another opposition official present in the embassy, expressed concern over the ongoing threat posed by the Maduro regime.

The Venezuelan government justified its actions by claiming to have uncovered evidence of plans for "terrorist activities and assassination attempts" against President Maduro and his deputy within the embassy premises. Brazil, in response, reiterated its commitment to represent Argentina's interests in Venezuela until a new government is in place, emphasizing the inviolability of the diplomatic mission's facilities.

The Argentine foreign affairs ministry condemned any attempt to interfere with or harm the asylum seekers residing in their official residence, warning that such actions would be harshly condemned by the international community. This incident further underscores the concerns over the erosion of human rights in Venezuela under President Maduro's leadership.

Opposition leader María Corina Machado called on foreign nations to recognize Edmundo González as the legitimate president of Venezuela, reiterating the opposition's claims that he emerged as the victor in the disputed presidential election held in July.

As tensions escalate between the Maduro regime and the opposition, the fate and safety of those seeking refuge in foreign embassies remain uncertain, while the international community closely watches the evolving situation in Venezuela.