The Government of Chile has several hypotheses regarding the kidnapping of a retired military officer of Venezuelan nationality in Santiago and confirmed that it has maintained “contacts” with the Venezuelan authorities.
The Undersecretary of the Interior, Manuel Monsalve, explained at a press conference that the contacts have been both “at the diplomatic level”, through the Chilean ambassador in Caracas, and “at the police level from the Chilean Investigative Police (PDI) with the Venezuelan police.
Despite acknowledging that at the moment no hypothesis has been ruled out, including a Venezuelan counterintelligence operation, Monsalve called for caution and assured that “very premature conclusions have been reached by different actors.”
«There are many hypotheses here. The hypothesis that matters is the one that is finally validated by the Public Ministry and the prosecutor in charge of the investigation,” stressed the undersecretary after participating in a virtual meeting with the Chilean president, Gabriel Boric, and the ministers of the Interior, Foreign Affairs and Justice.
According to information released by the local press, Ronald Ojeda Moreno was kidnapped by a group of individuals who posed as Chilean police officers. The former military man had been living in Chile for some time and the local press claims that he did so as a political refugee, information that has not been confirmed by the Chilean Government.
Ojeda’s name appears on the list released at the end of January by the Venezuelan Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino, which includes 33 soldiers demoted and expelled from the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) “involved in conspiracies” against the regime, which They included the assassination of Nicolás Maduro.
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**Interviewer:** Today, we delve into the troubling rising wave of violence linked to the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela, which has recently extended its reach into Chile. Joining us is political analyst Dr. Mariana Espinoza. Dr. Espinoza, the recent kidnapping of a retired Venezuelan military officer in Santiago raises a lot of questions. Given that the officers reportedly posed as Chilean police, what does this say about the capability and influence of gangs like Tren de Aragua in Chile?
**Dr. Espinoza:** It’s concerning, to say the least. The fact that individuals can impersonate law enforcement highlights significant gaps in security and trust in the system. It begs the question of how organized crime can operate so openly and puts a spotlight on potential complicity or corruption within the police force.
**Interviewer:** That’s a valid point. With the Chilean government exploring multiple hypotheses, including the possibility of a Venezuelan counterintelligence operation, how do you think this complicates the political relationship between the two countries?
**Dr. Espinoza:** Absolutely, this situation complicates diplomatic relations significantly. Chile might see direct threats from the Venezuelan regime, and if they’re engaging in these kinds of operations on Chilean soil, it could prompt a severe diplomatic backlash. Both countries need to cooperate to address these issues, but trust may be eroded.
**Interviewer:** If we consider the broader implications, what does this trend suggest about the future safety of Venezuelan immigrants and refugees in Chile, particularly those who may have had dissenting views against the Maduro regime?
**Dr. Espinoza:** It’s a precarious situation. Venezuelans who fled their country for safety may now find themselves targeted in Chile, creating an unsafe environment for them. This raises the ethical question: should Chile adjust its immigration policies to better protect these individuals, or do they risk further complicity in regional conflicts?
**Interviewer:** A compelling debate indeed. Now, readers, we want to know your thoughts: Should Chile tighten its immigration policies in response to the rising influence of organized crime from Venezuela, or should it maintain its current stance on welcoming Venezuelan refugees, even amidst rising violence? Share your opinions and let’s discuss the balance between security and humanitarian responsibility.
