Chilean prosecutors are planning to request Venezuela to extradite two of its citizens accused of being involved in the abduction and killing of Venezuelan dissident Ronald Ojeda in Chile. The prosecutors believe that the killing was orchestrated in Venezuela and may be linked to the government of President Nicolás Maduro. The victim, Ronald Ojeda, had sought asylum in Chile after opposing Maduro’s administration. Police found his body in a suitcase buried in the suburbs of Santiago, indicating a methodical disposal of the corpse. One suspect has been detained, while two others have fled to Venezuela.
The involvement of Venezuela’s largest criminal organization, the Aragua Train, in the crime has been publicly acknowledged by Chilean authorities. There are suspicions that the culprits in Ojeda’s killing may have been working on behalf of the Venezuelan government, considering Ojeda’s political activities against the regime. The bizarre and calculated way in which the body was disposed of raised further suspicions about the involvement of the Aragua Train. Chilean authorities are demanding cooperation from Venezuela in the investigation and the extradition of the two suspects who fled to the country.
The Chilean government has expressed grave concerns about the case and the lack of cooperation from Venezuela in past extradition requests. Interior Minister Carolina Tohá emphasized that Chile is closely monitoring Venezuela’s actions in this case. Ojeda, a former member of Venezuela’s military, had sought refuge in Chile after escaping detention in his home country. His abduction and subsequent killing have strained relations between Chile and Venezuela, leading to the recall of the Chilean ambassador from Caracas. Calls for severing diplomatic ties with Venezuela have escalated following dismissive comments from Venezuela’s foreign minister regarding the Aragua Train.
The timing of Ojeda’s killing is critical as Venezuela prepares for presidential elections in July, with President Maduro seeking re-election. His crackdown on dissent has triggered widespread criticism, including from the Biden administration, which has been working to ensure free and fair elections in the country. The case has highlighted the extent of repression against dissidents by the Venezuelan government and has put a spotlight on the need for international scrutiny of the country’s actions. The extradition request for the suspects involved in Ojeda’s killing will be a test of Venezuela’s willingness to cooperate with the international community in addressing such crimes.
