Argentina says Maduro opponents taking refuge in its Venezuela embassy

FILE PHOTO: A Venezuelan resident in Argentina holds a placard depicting Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro that reads "For a Venezuela without Maduro", as she protests outside the Venezuelan embassy to demand the opening of the electoral registry abroad, and the registration of candidates for the presidential elections which closes today, amidst uncertainty as to who will carry the banner of the country's opposition coalition, in Buenos Aires, Argentina March 25, 2024. REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian/File Photo

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Some Venezuelan opposition leaders have sought refuge at the Argentine embassy in Caracas, the Argentine government said in a statement late on Tuesday, adding that it was concerned over what it called a deterioration of institutions and persecution towards those opposed to President Nicolas Maduro.

Argentina's foreign ministry declined to disclose the names of the Venezuelan politicians that it said were at its embassy, citing security reasons.