Chile Seeks U.S. Cooperation in Ronald Ojeda Case

Chile’s National Prosecutor, Ángel Valencia, reached out to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Monday, urging her to question President Nicolás Maduro regarding the assassination of exiled Venezuelan dissident Ronald Ojeda.

During his visit to Washington, Valencia met with Bondi to enhance security collaboration between Chile and the United States, as well as to tackle organized crime. They initially focused on issues like prosecuting money laundering and safeguarding the financial systems of both countries.

Another significant concern for Valencia is bolstering cooperation in tracking the Torren de Aragua (TdA) and its subgroup, the Aragua Pirates. He emphasized that, alongside Chilean charges, there are crimes linked to “associated gangs” within the country, including the murder of Ojeda.

Ronald Ojeda, who was 32 when he died, had fled Venezuela to Chile to escape the socialist regime’s persecution. He emerged as a prominent critic of Maduro and other regime leaders.

On February 21, 2024, Ojeda was kidnapped from his home in Santiago by individuals impersonating Chilean immigration officials. He was forcibly taken away, barefoot and in his underwear. His body was discovered days later, on March 1, inside a suitcase buried under concrete in the Santiago area.

The Chilean public prosecutor’s office quickly initiated an investigation, revealing that Torren de Aragua was implicated in Ojeda’s murder. Further inquiries identified a suspect in the case as an employee of the Venezuelan state governor’s office in Aragua. The Venezuelan government has denied any involvement in Ojeda’s death. Former Chilean president Gabriel Boric, who recently completed his term, suggested in a speech that Ojeda’s murder was linked to Maduro’s regime.

Boric remarked, “There have been assassinations of former Venezuelan soldiers, not just in Chile, and one of the suspected assassins is the dictator Nicolás Maduro’s regime itself.” He accused Maduro of manipulating elections in his country.

At the time of Boric’s comments, Maduro remained detained by U.S. authorities alongside his wife, Cilia Flores, in Brooklyn on multiple drug-terrorism charges. Their arrest followed a police operation authorized by then-President Donald Trump.

Valencia highlighted that Attorney General Bondi and her team were open to continuing cooperation in the investigation into Ojeda’s murder. This includes considering Maduro’s potential testimony and sharing relevant information and evidence that could aid the case.

“The response was very positive. We’re pleased with their willingness to assist,” Valencia noted. He added that, under Chilean law, it is proper to request U.S. cooperation for processing Chile’s inquiry into Maduro.

Valencia mentioned that the prosecutor’s office is already preparing an inquiry letter to send to U.S. authorities, with Bondi showing a commitment to fully cooperate based on Maduro’s willingness to engage.