Nahuel Gallo case: his family escaped from Venezuela in a secret operation

In a context of increasing repression by the Venezuelan regime, the partner and son of the Argentine gendarme Nahuel Gallo managed to leave the country through a secret operation coordinated by the Argentine government and international human rights organizations. The woman, María Alexandra Gómez García, and her son, Víctor Benjamín, crossed the border into Colombia, distancing themselves from a situation that had become unsustainable.

Both were residing in Anzoátegui, in eastern Venezuela, together with Gómez García's mother. According to available information, the family was facing serious economic difficulties and lived under the constant fear of being targeted by the Chavista repressive machinery, which in recent months has intensified arbitrary detentions of both opposition members and foreigners.

Although Alexandra did not have any legal restrictions on leaving the country, she requested to be accompanied by someone "trustworthy" to avoid problems at the border. Ultimately, the transfer was successful, although it was carried out with absolute secrecy, even from the detainee's immediate family.

Gallo's detention and Venezuela's silence

Nahuel Gallo was detained in December 2023 after crossing the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge from Colombia, when he was attempting to visit his family. Since then, his communications have been almost nonexistent. The last time his partner managed to speak with him was on December 8, through a taxi driver's cell phone.

The only proof of life of the gendarme was a video and some photographs in which he appears dressed as a prisoner. According to unofficial sources, the images were reportedly taken in the prison known as El Rodeo.

Argentine government's complaint

Last Friday, the Argentine Foreign Ministry issued an official statement demanding the "immediate release" of Nahuel Gallo, as well as that of other citizens "illegally" detained by Nicolás Maduro's regime.

In addition, Diosdado Cabello, vice president of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), was held directly responsible for leading a persecution structure:  "Mr. Diosdado Cabello leads a repressive machinery that relies on fear, the kidnapping of innocents, forced disappearances, and systematic harassment of the families of those persecuted."

Javier Milei's administration described these practices as "state terrorism" and announced that it will intensify complaints before the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.

The official statement concluded with a call to the international community: "Our country urges all democratic nations to join efforts to put an end to the persecution and violence carried out by institutions."