A federal criminal court ordered Monday that Interpol arrest Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and extradite him to Argentina to be investigated for alleged crimes against humanity. His right-hand man, Diosdado Cabello, as well as several Venezuelan officials, are also wanted.
The ruling issued by the Buenos Aires Criminal Federal Chamber ordered Judge Sebastián Ramos to “immediately” issue the warrant and investigate Maduro and the Venezuelan officials for torture, kidnapping, and murder as part of a “systematic plan” against the Venezuelan people that has allegedly been in place since, at least, 2014.
The judge’s decision is based on the principle of “universal justice” that allows magistrates to investigate crimes committed in other countries. Several Venezuelan citizens harbored as political refugees in Argentina reported and testified over the last year before the Argentine judiciary about the aforementioned crimes.
The accusation was filed by the victims and witnesses along with the Clooney Foundation for Justice — founded by Amal and George Clooney — and the Argentine Forum for the Defense of Democracy. Amnesty International is also backing the claim, which is the first international arrest order against Maduro and his government officials.
Last Tuesday, the group of Venezuelan citizens gave testimony in an audience and, that same day, Argentine prosecutors Carlos Stornelli and José Agüero Iturbe requested the Buenos Aires Federal Chamber issue an arrest warrant.
The Venezuelan judiciary is also trying to build a case against Argentine President Javier Milei. On Monday, they confirmed an arrest warrant against Milei, Presidency Secretary Karina Milei and Security Minister Patricia Bullrich for allegedly “stealing” a Venezuelan plane.
Maduro is being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2021 for alleged crimes against humanity during protest crackdowns in 2017. In early September, Argentina requested the ICC to order Maduro’s arrest.
The case
The ruling states that Venezuelans are suffering “persecution policies” orchestrated by high-ranking government officials via a “systematic” and “organized” plan.
The testimonies, the judges said, “eloquently reflect” a common criminal pattern that matches reports of human rights violations made by international organizations. These show a plan of persecution as well as the Venezuelan government’s “disinterest in following democratic rules.” The testimonies and reports, they added, “are enough” to issue the arrest order.
The magistrates also explained that the warrants are necessary in order to prevent the accused from interfering in the course of investigation, put an end to the alleged crimes, and prevent new victims from suffering human rights violations.