Argentine President asks Venezuela to release captured soldiers

Argentine President Javier Milei on December 17 asked Venezuelan authorities to immediately release an Argentine soldier captured earlier this month.

Argentine President Javier Milei. (Source: Reuters)

Speaking at an event at a military school, Mr. Milei said that security forces under the command of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro arrested Sergeant Nahuel Gallo of the Argentine National Gendarmerie.

Stressing that Mr. Gallo's "only crime" in coming to Venezuela was to visit his wife and son, President Milei declared that "all diplomatic avenues will be used to bring this soldier back to Argentina safely.

However, also on December 17, Venezuela rejected President Milei's statements.

In a statement on Telegram late on December 17, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil accused Argentine soldiers of deliberately "invading" with violence and were being dealt with under the country's judicial system.

Previously, on December 16, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello officially confirmed the arrest of a non-commissioned officer of the Argentine Gendarmerie, accusing him of entering Venezuela to "carry out a mission".

Speaking about the incident, Mr. Cabello emphasized that this was the result of the activities of Venezuelan security agencies, and pointed out that the Argentine side had not made public the person's mission in Venezuela.

Minister Cabello also mentioned that Buenos Aires unilaterally severed diplomatic relations with Caracas, which has hindered communication between the two sides. This is the first time the Venezuelan government has officially spoken out about this arrest.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/argentina-president-requests-venezuela-grant-freedom-to-soldier-who-is-unable-to-be-arrested-297811.html