Jesús Daniel Romero and William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
Nicolás Maduro aggressively pursues dissent, interrupting access to water, electricity, and other essential supplies, exacerbating the situation for those seeking asylum.
Meanwhile, the international community remains silent, watching the abuses committed by the regime. In particular, the United States, under the Biden administration, continues to support the Caracas regime by providing operating licenses to American oil companies in that country. These companies are responsible for more than 30% of Venezuelan oil production, which amounts to 300,000 barrels per day.
This political duality seeks to balance economic interests with the promotion of freedom, but ultimately only serves the interests of the Venezuelan regime. The architect of this policy was Juan Sebastián González, who served as national security director for Western affairs and also worked in the Obama administration. It could be argued that these policies not only fed the Venezuelan regime but reinforced it ahead of the presidential elections in July 2024.
The sanctions imposed on individuals focus on specific persons but do not address the regime as a whole. As a result, the regime continues to receive flows of money from oil due to the licenses granted by the U.S. government. This is the true cause of the problem, and the conduct of the regime, which operates as a machine of oppression, cannot be changed.
It is not feasible to expect harsher sanctions that include American conglomerates under the Biden administration, which suggests a lack of political will to truly challenge the Maduro regime and its repressive practices.
The public expects a more assertive stance aimed at achieving a regime change focused on democracy and freedom for Venezuela. The arrival of elected president Donald Trump offers the possibility of implementing significant changes for the country and the region.
The crisis in Venezuela has intensified, creating a hostile environment for opponents seeking refuge in foreign embassies. Edmundo González Urrutia, elected president, has denounced a prolonged siege of the Argentine Embassy in Caracas, where six opposition members are located: Omar González, Magalli Meda, Claudia Macero, Humberto Villalobos, Fernando Martínez Mottola (former minister), and María Corina Machado. This situation has attracted international attention, raising concerns about respect for human rights and the security of diplomatic entities.
González's denunciation highlights the concern over the siege faced by the asylum seekers. The actions of the regime infringe upon fundamental rights and violate international agreements that defend protection and diplomatic asylum. His statement emphasizes the urgency of an international response to these violations.
The refugees in the embassy live in precarious conditions, suffering from power outages and severe restrictions on access to water and food. The psychological pressure is constant, exacerbated by the surveillance of security agents surrounding the location, which worsens their vulnerable situation.
In the face of this crisis, the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement condemning the deployment of armed forces at its diplomatic mission, representing a clear violation of the security that should be guaranteed under international law. Argentina has urged the international community to condemn these actions and facilitate the evacuation of the asylum seekers, underscoring the importance of protecting those seeking refuge.
The most prominent opposition coalition in Venezuela, the Democratic Unitary Platform, has requested international support to end the siege. Accepting these violations of international law could set a dangerous precedent for other embassies in the country. International pressure is considered essential to ensure the protection of diplomatic premises and the rights of asylum seekers.
The regime has carried out actions including blocking telecommunications and aerial surveillance with drones, as well as attempting to obstruct the entry of vital supplies. These tactics are part of a broader effort to destabilize opponents and control the political narrative in Venezuela.
It has also issued arrest warrants and fabricated criminal charges against the asylum-seeking opponents, seeking to legitimize the illegality of its actions. The Attorney General's Office, under the control of the regime, has accused the aforementioned opponents of crimes such as "treason against the homeland" and "conspiracy," thus justifying the use of force and repression against them.
Various forces of the regime are involved in the harassment of the Argentine Embassy, including the Bolivarian National Police, the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service, Bolivarian militias, and the Bolivarian National Guard. These organizations operate under the orders of the regime and are implicated in human rights violations, particularly affecting diplomatic premises.
Diosdado Cabello, Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace since August 2024 and vice president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, plays a crucial role in the government's repressive strategy. His influence over the armed forces and his closeness to Maduro allow him to implement harassment measures against the opposition, using his position to justify the regime's actions and maintain political control.
The harassment of María Corina Machado's family is alarming. Agents of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin) have besieged her mother's residence in Caracas, using patrols with sirens and patrolling with hooded officials. This siege is part of a broader pattern of retaliation and persecution against Machado, who has been the subject of accusations from the regime. Authorities have sought to intimidate her family as part of a strategy to exert pressure on her and discredit her political struggle.
The protection of embassies and diplomatic relations is backed by laws and international treaties. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, adopted in 1961, establishes norms that guarantee the inviolability of diplomatic missions. The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, adopted in 1963, regulates the inviolability of consular premises. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed in 1948, establishes principles that influence the treatment of diplomats. The regulations of the United Nations also provide a framework for protecting diplomatic missions. National laws complement these norms, ensuring respect for missions on the territory of a host state.
International law prohibits the authorities of a country, such as Maduro's regime, from undertaking acts of harassment or siege around an embassy. Any action of this type could be considered a violation of international norms and carry diplomatic repercussions.
Opponents seeking asylum in the embassy find themselves in a situation of risk. The international community must act decisively to condemn the violations of human rights and support those facing political persecution in Venezuela.
The Argentine government must adopt a firm and proactive stance in response to the siege of its embassy in Caracas and the situation of the hosted opponents. It is essential to issue strong statements condemning the siege and the violations of human rights by the Maduro regime, highlighting the importance of protecting diplomatic missions under international law.
Ensuring the well-being of the asylum-seeking opponents is crucial, providing consular and humanitarian assistance, ensuring their security, and facilitating access to food, water, and medical care. Seeking support and solidarity from the international community, especially from other countries and organizations that defend human rights, is equally important. This will include coordinating efforts with allies in international forums such as the Organization of American States and the United Nations.
Utilizing diplomatic channels to address the situation with the Venezuelan regime, demanding an end to the siege and respect for international law, will be vital. Creating a coalition to pressure the Maduro regime and protect the opponents must be a priority.
Reiterating Argentina's commitment to promoting and defending human rights is essential, as well as establishing mechanisms to continuously monitor the situation in Venezuela and the well-being of the asylum-seeking opponents. Informing the Argentine public about the situation and the importance of supporting opponents in their struggle for democracy can help generate popular backing for government actions.
This context raises questions about the lack of international action and the indirect complicity that allows the Maduro regime to continue operating without accountability for its human rights violations. By adopting this stance, the Argentine government would not only be defending its interests and values but also sending a clear message of support for democracy and human rights in the region. The lack of leadership from Brazilian President Lula Da Silva is glaring concerning Brazil's position on the Argentine embassy and the opponents hosted there.
This report is based on information collected from various media outlets, including El País, BBC News, Reuters, and CNN, which have recently covered the situation in Venezuela.
Jesús Daniel Romero became an officer through the Marine Corps Enlisted Program and graduated with honors from Norfolk State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. He subsequently graduated from the Naval Aviation Pre-Flight Doctrine Course of the Naval Aviation Schools Command and underwent 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 of the Pacific in Hawaii, and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. Jesús and his team successfully attacked an international criminal organization operating in several countries and 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., a licensed and bonded investigation agency in NYS and FL, with offices and affiliates around the world. Equalizer maintains offices and branches 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 criminal defense 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 other locations. He has directed 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. Specialties: 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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