Venezuela Launches Arrest Warrants for 16 Argentines in Plane Theft Case

Venezuela has escalated tensions with Argentina by issuing arrest warrants for 16 Argentines linked to the case of a confiscated plane, which the government of Nicolás Maduro claims was “stolen” by Argentine authorities.

The legal actions were announced by Attorney General Tarek Saab, who has previously called for the arrest of Argentine President Javier Milei, Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, and Presidency Secretary Karina Milei in relation to the same case.

This development marks a significant intensification in the ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two nations. The political landscape is deeply divided, with the two presidents on opposite sides of the ideological spectrum. Relations soured further after Maduro claimed victory in elections that have been widely criticized as fraudulent.

Following the election, Maduro expelled Argentina’s diplomatic mission from Caracas and withdrew Venezuelan diplomatic personnel from Buenos Aires. In a press conference, Saab stated that Venezuela would “extend the arrest warrants” pertaining to the alleged theft of the Emtrasur cargo plane.

He revealed plans for eleven additional warrants, targeting various judges, politicians, lawyers, and prosecutors involved in the aircraft’s seizure. Among those named is Judge Villena, who authorized the confiscation at Ezeiza International Airport, and Prosecutor Cecilia Incardona, who supported that decision.

Argentina has firmly rejected these arrest warrants, asserting through its Foreign Ministry that the case was resolved by an independent judiciary, which should remain free from executive influence. The Ministry emphasized that the plane had been held at Ministro Pistarini (Ezeiza) International Airport for a year and a half, following requests from U.S. officials for its confiscation.

However, the Argentine judiciary did not act on those requests until February 2024, after the Milei administration took office, insisting that the government had no role in the decision to seize the aircraft.

Adding to the tension, Saab recently initiated an investigation into allegations that Milei and Bullrich have violated human rights as part of the government’s austerity measures. This ongoing saga between Venezuela and Argentina illustrates the complexities of their diplomatic relations, as both nations navigate a turbulent political landscape.