Argentine gendarme Nahuel Gallo was released after 448 days of detention in Venezuela's Rodeo 1 prison and returned to his country, where he held a press conference denouncing the psychological torture conditions there. In his testimony, he highlighted that thinking of his son kept him strong during the unjust captivity. Argentine authorities celebrated his return and promised to continue working for the release of other detainees.
Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine National Gendarmerie corporal, was released on Sunday after 448 days of illegal detention in Venezuela's Rodeo 1 prison. In a press conference in Buenos Aires, Gallo described the place as "a place of considerable psychological torture" and confessed to having lived horrible situations: "It's ugly, I don't want to tell the atrocities they did." He acknowledged that his mental strength and thinking of his son kept him strong during the incommunicado period, where he lost his freedom unjustly and was accused of unrelated crimes.
Gallo, who has scarce information about his captivity, is in good health and is in the process of reintegrating into society, with psychological support. He asked not to forget political prisoners in Venezuela, in supposed transition, and mentioned that there are 24 other foreigners in Rodeo 1 awaiting release. He made an Argentine flag from soap and sang the national anthem, shouting "proudly Argentine."
Accompanied by Security Minister Alejandra Monteoliva, Chancellor Pablo Quirno, and Gendarmerie Chief Claudio Brilloni, Gallo thanked the Argentine state and international institutions without mentioning the AFA, which facilitated his return flight. Monteoliva expressed joy at his healthy return. Quirno highlighted the government's tireless work from the first moment, denouncing the situation in international forums with support from the United States, Italy, Israel, and Foro Penal. He announced ongoing efforts for the release of Germán Giuliani, another Argentine detained in Venezuela.
Gallo's wife, María Alexandra Gómez, posted on social media: “Thank you, God... for this miracle. It was 448 days of a struggle without schedules... Today we have him at home.” Brilloni confirmed that Gallo remains active and in good clinical condition.
