Tapia and AFA diplomacy achieves Nahuel Gallo's return after 448 days of captivity in Venezuela

The release of Argentine gendarmerie officer Nahuel Gallo marks a milestone in the international management efforts of the Argentine Football Association under Claudio Tapia’s leadership. After more than 14 months of detention in Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro’s regime, Gallo boarded a private plane last Sunday bound for his country, in an operation that involved multiple diplomatic channels and demonstrated the ability of sports institutions to go beyond mere competition.

The event was documented by Pablo Toviggino, AFA treasurer and close collaborator of Tapia, who captured the moment Gallo was aboard the aircraft during a stopover in northern Chile. The photo showed the gendarme wearing the Argentine national team jersey, holding a mate, an image Toviggino shared on social media along with an emotional message about the citizen’s return to his homeland. The air transport was facilitated by Baires Fly, a company linked to the negotiations surrounding this operation.

The coordinated diplomatic efforts of Tapia and the AFA

The mechanism that enabled Gallo’s return was the result of what the AFA president described as a “quiet and joint effort” with the Venezuelan Football Federation and CONMEBOL. This institutional collaboration strategy demonstrated how sports can serve as an effective bridge when conventional diplomatic channels face limitations. Tapia and his team carried out discreet negotiations that ultimately led the Venezuelan authorities to agree to allow the Argentine’s return.

In its official statement, the AFA expressed gratitude to Venezuela’s Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, highlighting “her sensitivity and willingness” to address the situation. The organization also acknowledged the role of the Venezuelan Football Federation as a facilitator of initial contact, emphasizing that “the bonds built through football can positively contribute to the well-being of our nations.”

The context: over a year of captivity

The gendarme had been in custody since December 2024, accumulating 448 days of detention in Venezuelan territory. His case raised concerns across broad sectors of Argentine society, and its resolution became a priority for the national government. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that Gallo “is now out of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” marking the end of a prolonged negotiation.

International support backing the negotiations

The operation received backing from multiple international actors. The Argentine government acknowledged the contribution of allied countries, particularly Italy and the United States, which exerted diplomatic pressure in multilateral forums. Additionally, organizations like Foro Penal played a significant role in coordinating these efforts, providing context on the human rights situation in Venezuela and supporting the push for his release.

President Javier Milei evaluated the case’s resolution positively, stating: “It was a tragedy that our gendarme was kidnapped. Whatever the reason for his return, the important thing is that Nahuel Gallo is back with us.” This stance reflects broad political consensus surrounding the citizen’s repatriation.

Other pending human rights cases on the agenda

However, Gallo’s return does not close the chapter on Argentine citizens deprived of their freedom in Venezuelan territory. The Argentine government reiterated its demand for the “immediate release of Argentine citizen Germán Giuliani, as well as all individuals detained for political reasons.” This aspect underscores that Tapia and the AFA’s international efforts, although successful in this specific case, are part of a broader ongoing struggle for human rights in the region.