- A spokesperson explained that article 3 of the organization’s Constitution prevents accepting demands of a political nature | Photo: EFE
Interpol recalled on Friday, November 8, that the rules of the international police agency prohibit its mechanisms from being used for political reasons and a spokesperson for the organization did not want to speak about the demand received by the government of Nicolás Maduro to launch an “alert.” red” against the opposition leader Edmundo González.
The EFE news agency consulted an Interpol spokesperson about the request made by the Attorney General of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, on October 24. However, the official clarified that he cannot comment on individual cases.
However, the spokesperson explained that Article 3 of the organization’s Constitution “prohibits any use of our system for political reasons.”
Saab requested that Interpol issue a “red alert” against Nicolas Maduro’s opponent in the Venezuelan presidential elections on July 28, who has been in exile in Spain since September 8 after an agreement with the Venezuelan government in the Spanish Embassy that allowed him to leave Caracas.
According to the information published by the Colombian newspaper The Timethe request is made for the alleged crimes of conspiracy, identity theft, forging of documents.
The newspaper states that the crimes that the Venezuelan justice accuses González of are usurpation of functions, forging of a public document, instigation to disobedience of the laws, conspiracy, ignorance of State institutions, complicity in the use of violent acts against the peace, dissemination of false information without knowing the electoral results, sabotage or damage to the system, association, money laundering.
Edmundo González’s reaction to the lawsuit
Edmundo González reacted on November 7 to the demand that the Maduro government made to Interpol for the issuance of a “red alert” against him. The leader described the measure as a new attack.
“We are carrying the message about the indisputable triumph of the desire for change of Venezuelans, the violations of rights and the next actions, to all decision-making bodies in the world,” continues the former presidential candidate in a message on his account on the social network .
The politician also referred to the support he has received from Venezuelans since the presidential elections and in the days that followed. He added that he will continue working to ensure that the will of the voters is respected.
“The will of the Venezuelan people is not only recognized by everyone, but will also be respected. We are working to make this happen,” he concluded.
How Interpol red alerts work
The “red alert” system of the international police agency is a way of communicating information about people who are wanted by the Justice of a country to the rest of the members so that they can be detained if they are identified.
Some of these notifications are public and can be consulted on the Interpol website, but there are others that, for reasons of confidentiality or so that they can be more effective, only pass through the internal transmission channels to which the police services of Interpol have access. the 196 member countries.
The organization filters the demands that come to it from the authorities of those countries, particularly to detect those that may cover up some type of political persecution or human rights violations.
With information from EFE
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**Interview with International Law Expert Dr. Laura Fernandez on Venezuela’s Use of INTERPOL’s Red Notice System**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Fernandez. Recent events have seen Venezuela’s government, led by Nicolas Maduro, requesting INTERPOL to issue a “red alert” against opposition leader Edmundo González. Could you explain what this means in a broader context?
**Dr. Fernandez:** Thank you for having me. A “red alert” from INTERPOL is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition. In this case, it reflects Venezuela’s ongoing political strife and the government’s use of international law enforcement mechanisms to target political dissidents.
**Interviewer:** INTERPOL has stated that Article 3 of its Constitution prohibits any political misuse of its systems. How does this impact Venezuela’s request?
**Dr. Fernandez:** INTERPOL’s commitment to prevent the misuse of its tools for political purposes is crucial. The organization aims to maintain its integrity and neutrality. If it determines that Venezuela’s request is politically motivated, it is obliged to deny the issuance of the red notice. This protocol exists to stop member states from abusing INTERPOL for repression.
**Interviewer:** What are the implications for Edmundo González, who has been in exile in Spain since September?
**Dr. Fernandez:** If INTERPOL does not issue the red notice, Gonzalez remains safe in Spain. However, if it were issued inappropriately, it could put pressure on Spain to act. This scenario underscores the challenges faced by political exiles and the complexities of international law in safeguarding human rights.
**Interviewer:** Given the serious charges against González, why do you think the Maduro administration is pursuing him through INTERPOL?
**Dr. Fernandez:** The Venezuelan government’s actions appear to be a strategy to delegitimize opposition ahead of the elections and to perpetuate its narrative of defending national sovereignty against perceived threats. By seeking an international mechanism to issue a red notice, they might be attempting to weaken Gonzalez’s position and credibility both domestically and internationally.
**Interviewer:** How do other nations typically respond to such requests from Venezuela?
**Dr. Fernandez:** Responses vary significantly. Some nations, especially those aligned with democratic principles, might reject these requests outright if they suspect political motivations. Others might comply, fearing diplomatic repercussions. The international community’s reaction is crucial, as it impacts the political landscape within Venezuela and the prospects for democratic governance.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what should the international community do to address the potential misuse of INTERPOL’s mechanisms?
**Dr. Fernandez:** Vigilance and a commitment to upholding the principles of human rights and democratic governance are essential. The international community, including human rights organizations, must advocate for transparency and accountability in INTERPOL’s processes, ensuring that political motivations do not influence law enforcement actions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Fernandez. This situation continues to unfold, and it’s essential to stay informed about how these dynamics play out.
**Dr. Fernandez:** Thank you for having me. It’s critical we keep the dialogue open and observe these developments closely.