"The Rodeo I is a place of torture": Nahuel Gallo spoke for the first time since his release in Venezuela
Nahuel Gallo, after being detained for 448 days in Venezuela, shared his experience and gratitude for his release, asserting that Rodeo I is a site of torture.
Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine gendarme, spoke publicly for the first time since his release after being imprisoned for 448 days in Venezuela by the Maduro regime. He expressed his gratitude towards the Argentine Ministry of Security and the Gendarmerie, stating that he is in good health after his ordeal. Gallo emphasized that the Argentine government had actively sought his release and noted that he was the only person whose freedom was requested among the foreigners held there, detailing that he was with individuals from 35 different nationalities.
In his statement, Gallo highlighted the horrors of the conditions at Rodeo I, describing it explicitly as a "place of torture." He conveyed the emotional impact of his wrongful detention, stating that recalling these experiences still shakes him. Gallo refrained from sharing specific details about the abuses he witnessed or suffered but made it clear that the psychological toll of his imprisonment is significant.
His remarks shed light on the broader human rights violations occurring in Venezuela, particularly under the authoritarian regime of NicolΓ‘s Maduro. Gallo's release and testimony could serve to amplify calls for accountability regarding the treatment of political prisoners in Venezuela, as well as for humanitarian assistance to those who face similar fates. The fact that he is a member of a foreign security force adds an international dimension to his story, reflecting the complexities of foreign relations and the implications of diplomatic interventions for justice.