The Argentine justice system reopened an investigation into the responsibilities of the Nicolás Maduro regime in crimes “against humanity” to decide whether it should order the arrest of the Venezuelan leaders.
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The Argentine justice system ordered the reopening of an investigation into crimes against humanity allegedly committed in Venezuela by the regime of President Nicolás Maduro, appealing to universal jurisdiction.
In July 2023, prosecutor Carlos Stornelli had given rise to a complaint from actor George Clooney's foundation for events that occurred in opposition protests in Venezuela in 2014, when the government authorized security forces “to use violence against civilian population”, according to the ruling.
The accused are President Nicolás Maduro, Chavismo's number two Diosdado Cabello, “and all those identified as responsible (…) for the serious violations of human rights and crimes against humanity.” The plaintiffs, who are not identified, suffered “the persecution and murder of their relatives, in a context that is public and has repercussions beyond territorial borders,” the text indicates.
Read alsoCPI will continue its investigation against the Venezuelan government for alleged crimes against humanity
An Argentine judge had ordered that this and other actions be archived since the International Criminal Court had already been investigating similar complaints against Maduro since 2018 and sent them to the international court in The Hague, but the victims appealed this decision, arguing that the ICC investigation does not prevent another country to investigate and stating that it is unknown if The Hague studies the same cases included in the Argentine complaint.
Given the “extreme seriousness” of the facts, “it is necessary to revoke the decision” to archive the file, wrote judges Leopoldo Bruglia and Pablo Bertuzzi. Judge Mariano Llorens also cited the “Rome Statute”, ratified by Argentina, which establishes the principles of universal jurisdiction for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Moments of tension between both governments.
The announcement comes in a complicated diplomatic situation between the two countries. Six opponents who have an arrest warrant against them took refuge in the Argentine embassy in Caracas. The government of President Javier Milei is processing a safe passage to get them out of the country.
On March 1, the ICC ordered the resumption of an investigation into allegations of crimes against humanity during the repression of protests against Maduro in 2017, in which more than 100 people died.
Venezuela will hold presidential elections on July 28, in which Maduro will seek to obtain a third consecutive six-year term.
