Argentinian gendarme Nahuel Agustín Gallo was released this Sunday after being detained in Venezuela for 448 days.
The First Corporal of the National Gendarmerie is already out of Venezuelan territory and on his way back to Argentina.
The official confirmation came through Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno, who published a statement entitled “Liberation of Argentine citizen Nahuel Agustín Gallo”.
In his official message, Quirno said: “The Argentine Republic confirms that the Argentine citizen Nahuel Agustín Gallo, who had been in a situation of forced disappearance since December 8, 2024, has been released and is already outside the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
Chancellor Quirno kept in constant contact with Nahuel Gallo's wife
The Government remarked that the liberation was possible thanks to a diplomatic strategy sustained for more than a year, with permanent efforts with allied countries and international organizations. Along these lines, the statement said: “The Argentine Republic expresses its recognition for the multiple efforts made by allied countries that helped to exert the necessary international pressure to achieve their liberation.
“
He added, “In particular, the strong support of the Government of the Italian Republic, the Government of the United States of America, as well as the non-governmental organization Foro Penal, whose work in the defense of human rights has been fundamental, stands out.”
In addition, he was categorical about the seriousness of the case: “The Argentine Government reaffirms that illegitimate deprivation of liberty and forced disappearance constitute serious violations of human rights that cannot be tolerated by the international community.”
His wife's emotion: “Victor will be able to hug his dad”
The news was greeted with deep emotion by his wife, María Alexandra Gómez, who for more than a year led the public demand for
his release.
Through his social networks, he wrote: “I just spoke with Nahuel and I can inform them that he is already flying to Argentina. We are deeply moved. Víctor will be able to hug his dad in a few hours
.” Nahuel Gallo will see his son Victor again after 448 days
During the morning, when there was still no official confirmation, I had expressed the anguish of waiting. “At this time we have no further information about Nahuel's whereabouts, but we are waiting for positive news after 448 days of injustices
,” he wrote.
Liberation involves an imminent reunion with your son and the rest of your family. After more than a year of uncertainty, international complaints and diplomatic complaints, the wait is finally over
.
A firm and sustained
demand
Since the arrest that occurred on December 8, 2024, when he was arrested on the border between Venezuela and Colombia while on leave to visit his family, the Argentine Government has denounced the case as
an arbitrary arrest.
For months,the Foreign Ministry upheld the claim in international forums and maintained constant efforts to achieve its release. International pressure, driven by Argentina and backed by allied countries, was decisive in unlocking the situation.
After a firm and constant demand, the release of Gendarme Gallo was achieved.
In the same statement, the Government made it clear that it will continue to demand the release of other citizens detained by the Venezuelan regime: “Likewise, the Argentine Republic continues to demand from the Venezuelan regime the immediate release of the Argentine citizen Germán Giuliani, as well as of all persons deprived of their liberty for political reasons
.”
After 448 days of detention, Nahuel Gallo is now out of Venezuela and is returning to the country. His release marks the result of a sustained diplomatic demand and the coordinated work of the Argentine Government to achieve his return home
