Buenos Aires Herald 
The Argentine government demanded the release of Nahuel Agustín Gallo, a military police who Venezuelan authorities arrested after accusing him of espionage.
A joint communiqué issued by the Argentine Foreign and Security ministries expressed “strong rejection” for what they called the “arbitrary and unjustified detention” of the non-commissioned officer of the Argentine National Military Police, First Corporal Nahuel Agustín Gallo.
According to the press release, Gallo entered Venezuela by land through the Francisco de Paula Santander International Bridge on the Colombian border. He was headed to the Venezuelan town of Táchira to visit his family and partner, with whom he shares a child. The release called Gallo’s trip “strictly personal” and warned that Argentina would “act firmly in all instances and before all international organizations” to demand his release.
At press time, the Venezuelan government has not issued any press releases on the matter. Media outlets reported that the Argentine government is currently working with the Brazilian and Colombian administrations to ensure Gallo’s release.
Security Minister Patricia Bullrich detailed the situation in a post on X. She also demanded Gallo’s release and issued a veiled threat against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. “We demand the IMMEDIATE release of this Argentine citizen. Maduro, every minute you hold him is one more step [you take] towards your own end,” she added.
María Gómez, Gallo’s partner, told DNews that he entered the country through the Colombian border because it was the cheapest way.
“I never imagined that this could happen to us. We thought that by doing everything legally, there would be no problems,” she said. “If he were a spy, he would not have crossed the border showing his identity.”
The relationship between both countries deteriorated after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro claimed victory in the July presidential elections without showing any data supporting that claim. After that, Venezuela ordered all Argentine diplomats to leave the country in response to President Javier Milei’s accusations that Maduro committed fraud. The Argentine embassy is currently under the protection of Brazil.
Last week, Argentina’s Foreign Ministry said it was concerned about the well-being of six Venezuelan opposition members living in that embassy in Caracas since March. The asylum seekers have denounced that Venezuelan police and intelligence services have been surrounding the embassy for over two weeks, restricting access to water and power in an apparent effort to intimidate them.
