Argentine Court Orders Continuation of Probe into Venezuelan Abuses Under Universal Jurisdiction

Court Upholds Universal Jurisdiction in Venezuelan Human Rights Case

A federal court in Argentina on Thursday, January 8, 2026, ordered the judiciary to press on with investigations into alleged crimes against humanity committed by members of Venezuela's national guard. The ruling, which applies the doctrine of universal jurisdiction, turned down an appeal by a former officer who argued that Argentina lacked jurisdiction over Venezuelan officials.

The decision by the Buenos Aires Federal Court, Federal Chamber, upholds an initial decision by Judge Sebastián Ramos. This legal principle allows for the prosecution of human rights violators in any country, regardless of where the crimes occurred or the nationality of those involved.

Allegations of Widespread Abuses

The criminal complaint at the heart of the investigation accuses 14 Venezuelan National Guard officers of human rights abuses. These alleged crimes date back to 2014, a period marked by aggressive crackdowns on anti-government protests in Venezuela. The accusations include:

• Arresting suspected dissidents
• Torturing individuals
• Killing protesters
• Sexual violence and arbitrary detention

Argentina began investigating these allegations in 2023, following a complaint filed by the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) in June of that year.

Key Defendant and Broader Context

Among the key defendants is Justo José Noguera Pietri, a former commander of Venezuela's national guard. He had sought to have the case dismissed and an outstanding international arrest warrant against him voided. However, a federal appeals court denied his requests, citing the 'extreme gravity' of the alleged crimes. An international arrest warrant was issued for Noguera Pietri in 2024.

This ruling provides a potential avenue for justice for many Venezuelans who have been frustrated by impunity in their home country and the slow pace of the International Criminal Court. Argentina has a precedent for utilizing universal jurisdiction, having previously investigated cases related to Franco's dictatorship in Spain and atrocities against the Rohingya in Myanmar. A separate case targeting former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking officials for organizing the kidnap and torture of Venezuelan citizens has also been filed in Argentina, with Interpol reportedly asked to issue a red notice for their capture.