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The U.S. Immigration authorities detained a former Venezuelan military chief accused of crimes of repression and torture against students and women protesting against the Nicolás Maduro regime in 2014, as reported by the Nuevo Herald.
Rafael Quero Silva, who was the commander of the 47th Detachment of the National Guard, has worked as an extra in telenovelas from Telemundo, portraying police officers.
According to revelations from the Nuevo Herald, based on records from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the man is being held at the Krome detention center in Miami-Dade County.
The repressor served as a colonel in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) and commander of Detachment 47 in the state of Lara, in the northwest of Venezuela, during the protests against Maduro's regime in 2014.
On that occasion, citizens voiced their opinions against the first government of the dictator and the economic policies adopted, during a time of high inflation and scarcity in the country.
According to FUNPAZ, a non-governmental organization advocating for human rights in Venezuela, Quero Silva had been in the United States for approximately eight years.
The Venezuelan journalist Doricer Alvarado clarified that since 2018, the FBI has been investigating her.
"Apparently, the federal agents managed to interview about 20 victims of the repression carried out by the officials of the national guard unit he commanded. Most of the victims were members of the student movement from the state of Lara, who now reside outside the country," he wrote on Instagram.
So far, it has not been revealed what the fate of the oppressor will be, nor whether there are any police charges against him.
Like him, of the 1,130 identified Cuban repressors, at least 135 have managed to enter the United States or are in the process of doing so.
Their presence in that country poses a security risk, as most are linked to the repressive forces and military of the Cuban and Venezuelan dictatorships.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Rafael Quero Silva and the Repression in Venezuela
Who is Rafael Quero Silva and why was he arrested in Miami?
Rafael Quero Silva is a former Venezuelan military chief who was arrested by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Miami. He is accused of having participated in the repression and torture of protesters in Venezuela during the demonstrations against Nicolás Maduro's regime in 2014.
What role did Rafael Quero Silva play during the protests in Venezuela in 2014?
Rafael Quero Silva was the commander of Detachment 47 of the Bolivarian National Guard in the state of Lara, where he led the crackdown on protesters, mostly students, who were demonstrating against Nicolás Maduro's government due to high inflation and scarcity in the country.
How long has Rafael Quero Silva been residing in the United States?
According to reports from FUNPAZ, a human rights organization in Venezuela, Rafael Quero Silva has been in the United States for about 8 years, which means he arrived in the country around 2017.
What actions has the FBI taken regarding Rafael Quero Silva?
The FBI began an investigation against Rafael Quero Silva in 2018. They managed to interview around 20 victims of repression connected to the actions of the Bolivarian National Guard under his command, many of whom now reside outside of Venezuela.
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