Argentine court orders probe into alleged Venezuelan abuses under Maduro

An Argentine federal appeals court ruled that investigations into alleged crimes by members of Venezuela’s National Guard should proceed under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, rejecting an appeal by a former officer. Argentina began investigating the complaints in 2023.

An Argentine federal appeals court ordered the judiciary to continue investigations into alleged crimes involving members of Venezuela’s National Guard and denied an appeal arguing Argentina lacked jurisdiction. The judges instructed that the case proceed under the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, which allows some serious human rights cases to be pursued abroad. The criminal complaint in Argentina was brought by Venezuelan plaintiffs and relates to events first reported in 2014; Argentina opened its inquiry in 2023. Rights advocates described the ruling as a significant legal avenue while Venezuelan authorities remain in office. Key developments: - A federal appeals court in Argentina ordered the judiciary to press on with investigations and applied universal jurisdiction. - The court denied a former National Guard officer’s request to dismiss the case and to void an existing arrest warrant. - The complaint accuses multiple National Guard members of abuses linked to a 2014 crackdown, and Argentina began investigating in 2023. - Venezuelan rights groups said the decision offers a legal option to pursue alleged perpetrators while domestic remedies remain limited. Summary: The ruling keeps Argentina’s probe active and allows investigators to continue pursuing the case under universal jurisdiction. Undetermined at this time.