:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/AJ7N6C2WH5CTFE6CS5CBF2JCXA.jpg "Ronald Ojeda’s family will accuse the Maduro regime of his crime before the International Criminal Court")
Juan Carlos Manríquez, lawyer for the family of retired Venezuelan army lieutenant Ronald Ojeda, is set to present crucial information surrounding Ojeda’s kidnapping and subsequent homicide before the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. Ojeda was abducted on February 21 from his apartment in Santiago and his body was discovered nine days later inside a suitcase buried beneath a cement slab in an illegal camp.
The information that Manríquez will provide will be added to the ongoing “Venezuela I” file at the ICC, which focuses on possible crimes against humanity committed by the Nicolás Maduro regime. Specifically, the case will highlight the persecution of dissidents and forced disappearances, adding to the mounting evidence against the Venezuelan government.
Ojeda, who had previously escaped from Venezuela’s Ramo Verde prison in 2017, was targeted for his dissent against the Maduro regime. He was included on a list of individuals accused of treason before being ruthlessly kidnapped and murdered in Chile.
Currently, a 17-year-old Venezuelan teenager is in custody, charged as an alleged accomplice in Ojeda’s kidnapping. Authorities are actively seeking two additional suspects believed to be the direct perpetrators of the crime, with international arrest warrants issued for their capture.
Manríquez emphasized the importance of bringing justice to those responsible for such heinous acts, stating that individuals involved in international crimes must be held accountable. The ICC does not target states or governments but rather individuals who commit grave atrocities against humanity.
The prosecutor expressed optimism about the case, noting that the ICC has authorized the continuation of the investigation in Venezuela I due to insufficient cooperation from the Maduro regime. This decision signifies a step forward in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.
As the investigation progresses, hopes are high that those responsible for Ojeda’s kidnapping and murder, as well as other human rights abuses in Venezuela, will be brought to justice on an international stage.