Venezuela Issues Arrest Warrant for Argentine Presidential Candidate Javier Milei

Venezuelan authorities have sought an arrest warrant for Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei. Learn more about the reasons behind the warrant and the political implications.

An investigation has been launched by Caracas regarding the Argentinian President Javier Milei for surrendering a confiscated Venezuelan cargo plane to the US.

The controversy between two countries in South America revolves around the Emtrasur Cargo Boeing 747-300FM, which was bought from Mahan Air – an Iranian airline. The Argentine government seized the plane on behalf of the US in August 2022 after Washington placed export restrictions on Iran and blacklisted its national carrier, Mahan Air.

For quite some time, Venezuela has been expressing its dissatisfaction over the detention of the aircraft. They have contested that Argentina breached international law and requested reparation for it. In March 2024, flights to and from Argentina were barred by Venezuela as they shut down their airspace.

On Wednesday, Venezuelan Prosecutor General Tarek Saab declared the initiation of an inquiry and designated two prosecutors to issue warrants for the arrest of Milei, his sister Karina Milei (who leads the president’s office), as well as Argentine Security Minister Patricia Bullrich.

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Saab stated that the conduct of Argentina’s leaders comprises seven distinct offenses under Venezuelan legislation, such as “aggravated theft” and money laundering. Saab also indicated that a proficient court inside Venezuela would imminently decide on the warrants.

According to Saab, the aircraft that was impounded in 2024 had been transferred “illegally” to the US and subsequently “completely dismantled,” causing great anger among the people of Venezuela.

According to a statement issued by the Argentine Foreign Ministry, it “condemned” the arrest warrants and asserted that the handover of the aircraft had been authorized by Argentina’s court system as per an agreement with Washington. The ministry emphasized that judiciary is an autonomous body which must not be influenced or controlled in any manner by government authorities.

In 2023, Milei was elected as the president of Argentina. As a self-proclaimed anarcho-capitalist, he has pledged to fortify the country’s strategic partnership with the US.

Milei has made a formal request to the International Criminal Court for the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, labeling him as a “dictator” and implicating him in human rights violations. In response, Maduro criticized Milei by branding him a “right-wing extremist”, alleging that he submits himself to US imperialism.