Freed Argentine Officer Calls for Release of Foreign Prisoners in Venezuela
Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine military police officer who was recently released from detention in Venezuela, has made a powerful appeal to the international community. He is urging concerted efforts to secure the freedom of 24 foreign nationals who remain imprisoned in the notorious Venezuelan facility known as Rodeo I.
Gallo's Detention and Release
Gallo was detained on December 8, 2024, while on leave to visit his family in Venezuela. At the time, he was stationed in Argentina's central province of Mendoza. The Argentine Foreign Ministry stated that he was arrested on charges of espionage, a claim vehemently disputed by Argentine authorities.
Venezuela's then-attorney general, Tarek William Saab, alleged that Gallo had attempted to enter Venezuelan territory irregularly and was concealing a criminal plan under the guise of a romantic visit. Saab further accused him of links to international far-right groups. In contrast, the Argentine government maintained that Gallo traveled solely to visit his Venezuelan partner and their son.
After spending 448 days in a prison outside Caracas, Gallo was released on Sunday. However, during a news briefing in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, he expressed that his mind remains imprisoned until the other foreigners are freed.
International Support and Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The news briefing featured several high-ranking Argentine officials, including Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno. Quirno extended gratitude to Argentina's allies, notably the United States, Italy, and Israel, for their instrumental role in facilitating Gallo's release. This highlights the diplomatic efforts involved in resolving such international detentions.
In a significant development hours before the briefing, an Argentine federal judge summoned Gallo to testify as a witness. Judge Sebastián Ramos is investigating alleged crimes against humanity attributed to the government of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The summons, obtained by The Associated Press, indicated that Gallo could provide valuable insights into events reportedly carried out by the Venezuelan state apparatus.
During the briefing, Gallo did not address the summons or specify whether he intends to testify. Instead, he requested time and patience from the press, stating he is not yet ready to disclose the full extent of his experiences. "I still can’t talk about the atrocities they committed," Gallo remarked, hinting at the severe conditions he endured.
Appeal for Remaining Prisoners
Gallo's primary message was a heartfelt plea for the 24 foreigners still held in Rodeo I prison. "My mind is still in prison," he declared, emphasizing that his own freedom feels incomplete until they are released. This call to action underscores the ongoing human rights concerns in Venezuela and the need for sustained international pressure.
The case exemplifies the complex interplay of diplomacy, legal proceedings, and human rights advocacy in cross-border detentions. As Gallo recuperates and potentially prepares to contribute to legal investigations, his advocacy shines a spotlight on the plight of those still imprisoned, urging global stakeholders to prioritize their release.
