Minister Bullrich Rebukes Former Diplomat Laborde for Alleged Dealings with Venezuela‘s Maduro
Argentina‘s Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, has slammed former ambassador to Venezuela, Oscar Laborde, for reportedly engaging in off-the-record negotiations with Nicolás Maduro‘s government. The objective was to deliver family letters to captured gendarme Nahuel Gallo. Bullrich, in an interview with José Del Rio on Comunidad de Negocios (LN+), described Laborde as a "persona non grata" and accused him of conspiring against Argentina’s interests.
"There are Argentines still there, acting as regime mouthpieces. One of them is Oscar Laborde, a Kirchnerist appointee. He’s trying to justify Gallo’s arrest, claiming that all papers weren’t presented. It’s a shame that someone Argentina once represented could act this way," said Bullrich.
Laborde had previously posted on X, "The case of detained gendarme Nahuel Gallo in Venezuela exposes poor planning and lack of protocol. Promises were made without a solid plan… It’s serious when a person’s freedom and the country’s image are at stake".
Bullrich clarified that her ministry is exploring several hypotheses to locate Gallo. She anticipates that Argentina will demand, according to the Vienna Convention, that Venezuela provide information about Gallo’s whereabouts and allow him to communicate with Argentina. Moreover, she seeks information about the judge handling the case and the grounds for Gallo’s arrest.
Avoiding further spats with Vice President Victoria Villarruel, who blamed Bullrich for Gallo’s predicament, the minister stated, "Villarruel realized it’s not appropriate to discuss such a serious matter so lightly, so she deleted her tweet".
Bullrich dismissed Gallo’s detention as a mere "chavista operation", asserting, "They’re just trying to use foreigners as bargaining chips to pressure countries to acknowledge Maduro’s regime. It’s unlikely the world will recognize a stolen election."
In the same interview, Bullrich lambasted Senator José Mayans and Governor Axel Kicillof for their criticism of President Javier Milei’s management of the country. She praised Milei’s first year, citing a significant drop in poverty rates and improved public order.
"We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished. We haven’t let up for a single day. 2025 will be crucial for consolidating these gains," she concluded.
