The Shadow Over Miraflores: A Venezuelan Family’s Eight-Year Search for Justice
The disappearance of Lieutenant Colonel (Ej) Juan Antonio Hurtado Campos, former head of the weapons depot at the Presidential Honor Guard’s palace, has become a chilling symbol of the ongoing human rights crisis in Venezuela. For eight years, his family has navigated a labyrinth of silence from state institutions, bureaucratic obstacles, and a disturbing lack of accountability, even after his name surfaced on a list of expelled and degraded military personnel in 2024.
A Disappearance Shrouded in Political Turmoil
Hurtado’s disappearance occurred shortly after the attempted assassination of Nicolás Maduro on August 4, 2018 – the “Caso Drones” incident. He was on vacation during the event, having recently returned from a mission to Russia. Upon returning to his post at Miraflores Palace on September 4, 2018, he was detained by the Directorate General of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM), and his family has had no contact with him since.
The Search for Answers: A Family’s Desperate Plea
Juana Campos, Hurtado’s mother, immediately sought information from his superiors. She was met by a civilian identifying himself as Colonel (Ej) Rubén Coronel, who claimed to have no knowledge of her son’s whereabouts. Despite being advised against pursuing the matter, the family relentlessly contacted the Public Ministry, the Scientific, Criminal and Forensic Investigation Corps (CICPC), and the Military Public Prosecutor’s Office, all to no avail.
The family’s search extended to various detention centers, including El Helicoide, Ramo Verde military prison, and El Rodeo I, but Hurtado was not found in any of them. A glimmer of hope emerged in July 2019 when his sister, Dora Hurtado, obtained a case number from the Receiving Unit of Documents (URD), only to discover that no records related to her brother’s case existed at the Palace of Justice.
The Degradation List and Lingering Questions
The inclusion of Hurtado’s name on the list of 33 military personnel expelled and degraded by Defense Minister GJ (Ej) Vladimir Padrino López in January 2024 brought a renewed sense of anguish. While the list offered a formal acknowledgement of his status, it provided no information regarding his location or condition. “Since January, we have faith that Juan Antonio is alive, and that is why we raise our voices with the hope of my brother’s full freedom and that of all political prisoners,” Dora Hurtado stated.
Allegations of a Cover-Up and Connections to Óscar Pérez
Emerging testimony from former members of Maduro’s security detail paints a disturbing picture. Sergeant First Class (Ej) Gustavo Enrique Graterol Torrealba, who served with the Presidential Honor Guard for nine years, alleges that Hurtado was arrested on September 4, 2018, by a team led by Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Enrique Granko Arteaga of the DGCIM.
Graterol further claims Hurtado had a close relationship with Óscar Alberto Pérez, a former police inspector who led a rebellion against the Maduro regime and was killed in a controversial raid in 2018. Hurtado allegedly possessed a significant arsenal of over 500 weapons – rifles, grenades, missiles, and anti-drone systems – and was planning to supply them to Pérez. Graterol suggests a betrayal by another officer, Lieutenant José David Coronado, may have alerted authorities.
International Scrutiny and the Pursuit of Justice
The case has drawn attention from international human rights organizations. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), first under Michelle Bachelet and now under Volker Türk, has expressed concern over the lack of progress in investigating the disappearances of Hurtado and Hugo Henrique Marino Salas.
FAQ
Q: What is the current status of Lieutenant Colonel Hurtado?
A: His whereabouts remain unknown. He was last seen after being detained by the DGCIM in September 2018.
Q: Who is believed to be involved in his disappearance?
A: Testimony suggests Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Enrique Granko Arteaga of the DGCIM led the operation that resulted in Hurtado’s detention.
Q: What connection did Hurtado have to Óscar Pérez?
A: Hurtado allegedly planned to provide weapons to Óscar Pérez, a former police inspector who rebelled against the Maduro government.
Q: Has the Venezuelan government provided any information about Hurtado’s case?
A: The government has remained largely silent, despite repeated requests from the family and international organizations. His name appeared on a list of degraded military personnel, but no further details were provided.
Did you know? The case of Lieutenant Colonel Hurtado highlights a pattern of enforced disappearances and human rights abuses in Venezuela, prompting investigations by international bodies like the UN Human Rights Office.
Pro Tip: Supporting organizations dedicated to human rights advocacy can help raise awareness and pressure for accountability in cases like this.
The story of Juan Antonio Hurtado Campos is a stark reminder of the human cost of political turmoil and the urgent need for justice and accountability in Venezuela. Share this article to help amplify the voices of those seeking truth and closure.
