Nahuel Gallo, an Argentine gendarme, publicly recounted his 448-day captivity in Venezuela and said he once considered taking his own life [1].
Gallo's testimony highlights the precarious situation of foreign nationals detained under the government of Nicolás Maduro, where political crackdowns often lead to prolonged imprisonment without clear legal recourse [4, 5].
He was detained Dec. 8, 2024 [1], at the Colombian-Venezuelan border in Cúcuta [2]. Following his arrest, he was held in various Venezuelan prisons, including El Rodeo 1 near Caracas [2].
During a public interview aired May 8, 2026, Gallo detailed the psychological toll of his confinement. He described a period of isolation and desperation that led to thoughts of self-harm. "Pensé en quitarme la vida," Gallo said [1, 3].
Reports on the exact duration of his captivity vary slightly between sources. While some records indicate he was held for 448 days [1], other reports suggest a period of 445 days [2], or more than 448 days [5].
Throughout his detention, Gallo's family and supporters sought his release. He had previously engaged in a hunger strike before eventually communicating with his family after 445 days of being sequestered [2].
Gallo, a native of Catamarca, is among several foreign nationals targeted in broader security operations conducted by Venezuelan authorities [4].
“"Pensé en quitarme la vida"”
The case of Nahuel Gallo underscores the volatile diplomatic relations between Argentina and Venezuela. By detailing the psychological trauma and the specific locations of his detention, such as El Rodeo 1, Gallo provides a rare first-hand account of the Venezuelan penal system's treatment of foreign detainees during political purges.
