The Undersecretary of the Interior of Chile, Manuel Monsalve, rejected the publication of the Venezuelan media La Razón, about an alleged cooperation between Santiago and Caracas to kidnap Lieutenant (r) Ronald Ojeda, on February 21.
«I call that post a total lie. My particular task is to contribute to the Government’s fight against criminal organizations, and also to carry out expulsion processes of people who constitute a risk to national security.“said Monsalve from the La Moneda Palace, in Santiago.
«In this context we have carried out relations with other countries such as Bolivia, Peru and the Police Collaboration Agreement with Venezuela, a public agreement.«he added.
🇨🇱 🗣️Undersecretary of the Interior of Chile, Manuel Monsalve, denies information that suggests the existence of an alleged agreement with the Maduro government to facilitate the handover of former Venezuelan military officer Ronald Ojeda. pic.twitter.com/a0q8Hed00j
— Ideadatos (@ideadatos) February 26, 2024
According to what was published by the newspaper La Razón, «after the signing of the police agreement, the head of operations (and torture) of the DGCIM, Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Gramko Arteaga (…), would have requested the senior Chilean security official (undersecretary Monsalve) for cooperation to achieve the capture of Lieutenant Ronald Ojeda Moreno, residing in Santiago and who in 2017 had escaped from the Ramo Verde military prison.”
«I held two meetings in Caracas, in both of which the ambassador, the secretary general of the Foreign Ministry, and the national deputy director of the Investigative Police were present. The meetings were also public, known, with photos of their attendees. “Let me say the absurdity of the theory,” Monsalve stated.
«In practice, what they are calling into question is the trust in our institutions that are in charge of the fight against organized crime, especially when they take on statements from an absolutely foreign media, with a clear political orientation and that delivers information without foundations or evidence«he stressed.
Voluntad Popular, the party of the opposition Leopoldo López, accused – last Wednesday when Ojeda disappeared – the Maduro regime of being behind the kidnapping and of “use sovereign territory of other States for espionage practices and aggression against Venezuelans.”
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**Interview with Manuel Monsalve, Undersecretary of the Interior of Chile**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Undersecretary Monsalve. Recently, the Venezuelan media outlet La Razón published a story suggesting that Chile and Venezuela collaborated on a plan to kidnap former Lieutenant Ronald Ojeda. Can you clarify your position on this allegation?
**Manuel Monsalve**: Thank you for having me. I want to be very clear: that publication is a total lie. My responsibilities include supporting our government’s efforts against criminal organizations and managing the expulsion of individuals who pose a threat to our national security.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned cooperating with other countries. Can you elaborate on the type of relationships Chile has with nations like Venezuela?
**Manuel Monsalve**: Certainly. We maintain constructive relations with various countries, including Bolivia, Peru, and Venezuela. Our collaboration with Venezuela is formalized through a Police Collaboration Agreement that is public and transparent. This agreement aims to enhance our efforts in matters related to security, not to engage in any illicit activities.
**Interviewer**: Given the tense political climate and varying narratives from different countries, how does your office ensure that relationships remain focused on legitimate security concerns?
**Manuel Monsalve**: Our approach is rooted in the rule of law and regional cooperation. We are determined to combat crime effectively and uphold our commitments to international agreements. Maintaining open communication with our partners is vital, and we ensure that all actions taken are in line with our national interests and legal framework.
**Interviewer**: Thank you for your insights, Undersecretary Monsalve. It’s important for the public to understand the context and reality of these international relations.
**Manuel Monsalve**: Thank you for the opportunity to clarify our position. I appreciate it.
