Anne Applebaum meets with Venezuelan opposition advisor Perkins Rocha

Polish-American journalist and historian Anne Applebaum met with Perkins Rocha in Venezuela. Rocha, a legal advisor to opposition leader María Corina Machado, has been under house arrest since February following 18 months in prison.

Rocha shared a photo of the meeting on social media, describing Applebaum as a respected voice in the defense of liberal democracy and an intellectual fighter against authoritarian narratives. While the specific purpose of the visit remains unknown and Applebaum has not yet commented on her trip via social media, Rocha praised her ability to connect historical totalitarianism with modern threats to human freedom.

Prior to the meeting, Applebaum had expressed criticism on social media regarding recent U.S. foreign policy, suggesting that negotiations are being conducted to benefit specific companies rather than to promote democracy or the rule of law.