Argentine Court Demands Venezuela Disclose Gendarme's Whereabouts
The Federal Court of Mendoza, Argentina, has accepted a Habeas Corpus request regarding Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine gendarme detained in Venezuela since December 8. Gallo's family is unaware of his current location, prompting the court to urge President Nicolás Maduro's government to provide immediate information about his detention, including the reasons behind it and the judicial authority overseeing the case. The Venezuelan government claims Gallo is under investigation for attempting to infiltrate the country, a charge that the Argentine government and Gallo's family vehemently deny.
The court's ruling also calls for Venezuelan authorities to present Gallo either physically or via telecommunication, and to ensure he can communicate with his family. This legal action is a part of a broader investigation into potential forced disappearance, a serious allegation given Argentina's historical context of human rights abuses during its military dictatorship.
Political Tensions Surrounding Gallo's Detention
The case has ignited political tensions in Argentina, with Minister of Security Patricia Bullrich criticizing former ambassador Oscar Laborde for his involvement in mediating Gallo's situation. Bullrich expressed embarrassment over Laborde's past representation of Argentina, suggesting that his actions reflect poorly on the current administration's handling of the situation. Laborde, in turn, has criticized the Milei government for what he perceives as a lack of planning and protocol, which he argues has led to an international embarrassment.
Despite the Venezuelan government's claims that Gallo is in
