Jesús Daniel Romero and William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
The arbitrary detention of foreign citizens in Venezuela has reached alarming levels, highlighting the repressive nature of Nicolás Maduro's regime. Currently, at least 19 foreign citizens are reported as political prisoners, of whom 4 are Colombian, 3 Ecuadorian, 2 Spanish, and others are from Argentina, Guyana, Mexico, Peru, Ukraine, Uruguay, and the United States. Additionally, 31 of the detainees hold dual nationality, with 12 being Spanish, 9 Italian, 6 Colombian, 3 Portuguese, and 1 Chilean. This phenomenon represents a blatant violation of human rights and it is imperative to implement concrete actions to seek the release of these detainees and to put an end to the injustice on Venezuelan soil.

This unilateral behavior of the Venezuelan regime indicates an aggravating and concerning position. These detentions seem to play a role in preventing any actions against the regime, given that Nicolás Maduro has been appointed president of Venezuela after winning the elections in July 2024. The charges against the detainees by the regime are for terrorism and attempting against the government. Under these charges lies the arbitrary justification of the regime and helps us understand the true purpose of their detentions. The regime will seek to negotiate and extend its position in government by forcing the recognition of the international community.
Bilateral and Multilateral Diplomacy
Establishing direct dialogue between the governments of the U.S. and Argentina is essential to show a united front of interest. This dialogue should include the release of the detainees as a central point in any agreement. Collaboration with other countries and international organizations is crucial to increase pressure on the regime, using forums such as the UN and the OAS to demand respect for human rights.
Specific Sanctions
It is essential to implement sanctions targeted at Maduro's regime officials involved in these detentions. Freezing assets and travel restrictions are tools that must be employed. Sectoral sanctions on the Venezuelan economy, especially in the oil sector, can weaken the regime's ability to sustain itself in power and thus influence its willingness to negotiate.
Strengthening the Venezuelan Opposition
Providing financial and logistical support to the Venezuelan opposition is critical for establishing a strong platform demanding the release of prisoners. Facilitating international visibility for opposition leaders in global forums is vital for their voices to be heard and to generate global backing for their claims.
Public Awareness Campaigns
Launching campaigns that highlight arbitrary detentions is crucial. Utilizing media and social networks to spread awareness about the situation of the detainees can generate consciousness and empathy in the international community. Sharing personal stories humanizes the crisis and mobilizes public opinion against the injustices committed by the regime.
Humanitarian Interventions
Proposing humanitarian interventions that benefit the Venezuelan population, in addition to the prisoners, can open a channel for dialogue with the regime. Inviting human rights organizations to investigate the detention conditions and the treatment of prisoners is a necessary step to promote a broader focus on human rights in Venezuela.
International Legal Actions
Exploring the possibility of bringing cases before international courts for human rights violations is essential for seeking justice for the detainees. Collaboration with non-governmental organizations specializing in human rights can facilitate the documentation and reporting of the systematic violations committed by the regime.
Maintaining Communication Channels
Keeping communication channels with the regime open is fundamental, even in difficult times. The use of neutral intermediaries can help facilitate dialogue and promote trust in the search for solutions.
The New Administration of President Donald Trump
The new administration of President Donald Trump, under a renewed focus on foreign policy, could imply a significant change in how the crisis in Venezuela is addressed. Joint efforts with his Argentine counterpart, Javier Milei, could focus on firmer and coordinated strategies to confront the regime's repression and seek the release of arbitrarily detained citizens.
The collaboration between both leaders could manifest in several fronts:
Active Diplomacy: It is expected that both presidents will establish direct and constructive dialogue that not only addresses the situation of the detainees but also promotes democratic change in Venezuela. This dialogue could include the creation of a joint working group to coordinate efforts and define concrete actions.
Sanctions and Economic Pressure: With the support of the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, known for his critical stance towards the Venezuelan regime, it is likely that the Trump administration will push for harsher sanctions targeting regime officials and key sectors of the economy, particularly in the energy sector.
Strengthening the Opposition: The Trump administration could work closely with the Argentine government to strengthen the Venezuelan opposition, providing financial and logistical support. This would include facilitating platforms for opposition leaders to express themselves in international forums.
Humanitarian Interventions: Both leaders could coordinate efforts to propose humanitarian interventions in Venezuela aiming to relieve the humanitarian crisis affecting the population while simultaneously creating a channel for dialogue with the regime.
International Legal Actions: The Trump administration, in collaboration with Argentina, could explore the possibility of bringing cases of human rights violations to international courts, seeking justice and accountability for those responsible for arbitrary detentions.
International Mobilization: Trump and Milei are expected to work on mobilizing other international actors, including allies in Latin America and Europe, to create a broader coalition that pressures the Maduro regime and advocates for human rights and democracy.
Conclusion
The release of detained citizens in Venezuela demands a firm and coordinated approach that includes diplomatic actions, substantial sanctions, support for the opposition, awareness campaigns, humanitarian interventions, and legal actions. Collaboration between the administration of Donald Trump and President Javier Milei, with the support of Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz, can bring a more energetic and coordinated approach to addressing the crisis in Venezuela. This joint commitment seeks the release of detainees and works towards restoring democracy and the dignity of all citizens, both Venezuelan and foreign. The international community must act decisively to dismantle the system of repression established by Nicolás Maduro and his cabinet.
Credits
The information presented in this article has been gathered from the following sources:
The New York Times
The Washington Post
BBC News
El País
Clarín
Infobae
Reuters
Al Jazeera
Associated Press
Jesús Daniel Romero became an officer through the Marine Enlisted Program and graduated with honors from Norfolk State University, receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He later graduated from the Naval Aviation Pre-Flight Indoctrination Course of the Naval Aviation Schools Command and continued intermediate training in squadrons VT-10 and VT-86. He served aboard a nuclear missile cruiser, amphibious operation ships, and staff squadrons, a fixed-wing attack bombing squadron, and a carrier air wing, being deployed to Libya, Bosnia, Iraq, and Somalia. He served tours with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Panama, the Joint Intelligence Center Pacific in Hawaii, and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. Jesús and his team successfully took down an international criminal organization operating across several countries and in the United States, dismantling and disrupting criminal activities on behalf of Mexican cartels.
William L. Acosta is the founder and CEO of Equalizer Private Investigations & Security Services Inc. An authorized and linked investigative agency in NYS, FL. With offices and affiliates worldwide. Equalizer maintains offices and subsidiaries in the United States in New York, Florida, and California. Since 1999, Equalizer investigations have successfully closed hundreds of cases, ranging from homicides, missing persons, and other crimes. He has been involved in the criminal defense of hundreds of state and federal cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy, and other federal and state charges. He specializes in international and multijurisdictional investigations, and in recent years has conducted investigations in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, among others. He has led or coordinated hundreds of investigations related to international drug trafficking, money laundering, and homicides; and has been an instructor and international speaker on various investigative topics. Specializations: Criminal Defense Investigations, International Investigations, Homicides, Undercover Narcotics Operations, Investigations, Asset Forfeiture Investigations, Conspiracy, International Human Trafficking, Surveillance, International Terrorism, Intelligence, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, Internal Affairs Investigations, National Security.
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