Venezuela Charges Argentine Officer with Terrorism Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Venezuela has charged Argentine officer Nahuel Gallo with terrorism, escalating diplomatic tensions. Gallo, arrested while visiting his wife, faces allegations of involvement with far-right groups aiming to destabilize Venezuela. Argentina condemns the charges, demanding his return. This incident follows diplomatic ties severed after Argentina refused to recognize Maduro’s reelection, amid claims of political prisoners within Venezuela.

The recent diplomatic strains between Venezuela and Argentina have escalated significantly following the arrest of Argentine military officer Nahuel Gallo. Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced on social media that Gallo has been charged with terrorism for allegedly being part of a group seeking to conduct destabilizing acts within the country, purportedly with the aid of international far-right organizations. In response, Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich dismissed these accusations as fabrications and called for Gallo’s immediate repatriation to Argentina.

Gallo, a corporal in Argentina’s Gendarmería security force, was detained upon his arrival at an immigration office near the Colombian border on December 8. According to relatives, Gallo was visiting his Venezuelan wife, who was in the country to spend time with her mother during his vacation. The diplomatic row has intensified since Venezuela severed ties with Argentina in August after President Javier Milei and other Latin American leaders refused to recognize Nicolás Maduro’s reelection in July.

The Argentine embassy in Caracas is currently hosting five Venezuelan opposition activists who have taken refuge to evade arrest. Although Venezuelan authorities have launched investigations alleging that these activists planned terrorist activities from within the embassy, the activists reported that the embassy has suffered power and water cuts imposed by the Venezuelan security forces to compel their exit. This ongoing saga forms part of a larger issue in Venezuela, where a human rights organization has indicated that numerous foreigners are being imprisoned as political hostages, including recent arrests of Spanish nationals under similar accusations.

The relationship between Venezuela and Argentina has deteriorated sharply, particularly with the recent change in Argentina’s political leadership under President Javier Milei. He and several other Latin American leaders have not acknowledged Nicolás Maduro’s legitimacy, which has created friction. The Venezuelan regime has employed aggressive tactics against perceived adversaries, both domestic and foreign, leading to arrests and charges against numerous individuals, including foreign nationals, under terrorism allegations. This episode is emblematic of the broader geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly regarding human rights and political dissent.

In summary, the arrest of Nahuel Gallo has exacerbated the already tense relations between Venezuela and Argentina, reflecting the broader conflicts surrounding political recognition and human rights abuses in Venezuela. The accusations levied against Gallo highlight the precarious situation for foreign nationals and dissenters in Venezuela, as recent actions indicate a systematic approach to suppress dissent and silence opposition both domestically and from abroad. As both nations grapple with this diplomatic crisis, the implications for regional stability remain uncertain.

Original Source: abcnews.go.com