Argentina Demands Accountability Following Venezuela’s Detention of Citizens

Argentina has condemned the arbitrary detention of a Gendarmerie corporal and a local embassy employee by Venezuelan authorities. The government demanded their immediate release, calling the actions unjustified and a violation of international law. The incident raises concerns over human rights abuses in Venezuela amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Argentina and Maduro’s regime.

The Argentine government has formally accused Venezuelan authorities of detaining one of its Gendarmerie officers, labeling the act as an “arbitrary” and “unjustified” infringement of human rights. This situation arises from the arrest of Corporal Nahuel Agustín Gallo while he was passing through a border crossing between Colombia and Venezuela to visit his family. In conjunction with this, a local employee from Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas has also been detained, igniting international concern regarding human rights violations in Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro’s regime.

Argentina’s Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich released a joint statement calling for the immediate release of the detained individuals. President Javier Milei supported this declaration through his social media. The officials asserted that these detentions violate international laws safeguarding diplomatic staff and premises, emphasizing that Gallo’s arrest, based on espionage allegations, is grounded in politically motivated accusations fabricated by the Maduro administration.

Gallo’s family vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that Gallo was on a personal visit and engaged in no espionage activities. His wife, María Gómez, disclosed that her husband’s phone messages, which criticized the Venezuelan government, were utilized against him. The statements highlighted the enduring and severe human rights challenges faced by citizens under Maduro’s rule, exacerbating diplomatic tensions between Argentina and Venezuela.

The incident involving Corporal Nahuel Agustín Gallo has stirred significant diplomatic tensions between Argentina and Venezuela, particularly following the Maduro regime’s history of human rights abuses against political dissenters. The backdrop of this situation includes six individuals connected to Venezuela’s political opposition seeking asylum at Argentina’s Embassy in Caracas. Their presence has been met with hostility from Venezuelan authorities, raising deeper concerns about the implications of such detentions for Argentine nationals abroad and the deteriorating state of human rights in Venezuela.

In summary, the detainment of Corporal Nahuel Agustín Gallo along with an embassy employee has prompted Argentina to demand immediate action, citing a breach of international norms. This incident not only underscores the dangers faced by political dissidents in Venezuela but also reflects the increasing frictions in diplomatic relations between Argentina and Venezuela. As calls for accountability and the release of detainees grow, the international community remains vigilant regarding the human rights situation in Venezuela.

Original Source: www.batimes.com.ar