Argentina is seeking an international arrest warrant for Venezuelan President Maduro
Argentina’s Federal Chamber decided to ask Judge Sebastian Ramos to issue an international arrest warrant for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro for questioning on human rights violations. About this informs edition of LA NACION.
According to the text of the decision, the court established that a systematic plan of repression is operating in Venezuela, which includes forced disappearances, torture, murders and persecution of a part of the civilian population. This practice began back in 2014 and continues to this day.
The decision was made after consideration of a complaint filed by the organization, which is headed by American actor George Clooney together with his wife Amal. They demanded that Maduro be questioned about his possible involvement in crimes against humanity.
The judges noted that numerous testimonies of victims, as well as international reports on human rights violations in Venezuela, indicate the existence of a large-scale system of state repression.
“We observe that the testimonies vividly reflect the events experienced by the victims – which seem to demonstrate a general pattern of state actions – and are reflected in various reports of international organizations highlighting controversial aspects of the rule of law in Venezuela, persecution – kidnappings, torture, killings – of the civilian population and unwillingness to adhere to democratic norms”, the statement says.
The decision also states that the evidence gathered is sufficient to immediately summon Nicolas Maduro and Diosdado Cabello, one of the leaders of Venezuela’s ruling party, to testify as suspects.
The judges emphasized that given the gravity of the charges, which refer to actions committed by the very structure of the Venezuelan state, and the fact that these crimes are still ongoing, it is necessary to prevent further obstruction of the investigation, stop criminal activity and avoid new victims of human rights violations. In view of this, it was decided to contact Interpol with a request for the immediate arrest of Nicolás Maduro Moros for the purpose of extradition to Argentina.
The same order was issued against other suspects, including high-ranking officials of the Venezuelan government and individuals involved in the organization of the repression, who have not yet been identified. In total, Nicolás Maduro, Diosdado Cabello and about 30 other suspects appear in the case, including the Minister of the Interior and Justice of Venezuela.
The lawsuit was initiated by attorney Thomas Farini Duggan in collaboration with the Minister of Security of Buenos Aires and member of the Argentine Forum for Democracy in the Region (Fader) Waldo Wolff.
