OPINION:
Venezuelan navy Capt. Rafael Acosta was murdered after being arrested and tortured by Venezuelan counterintelligence agents who accused him of plotting against President Nicolas Maduro (“Death of Venezuelan navy captain draws US condemnation,” Web, June 30). It was part of the Maduro government’s crackdown on military personnel who may no longer be loyal to the socialist dictatorship, as well as the counterintelligence G-2 Cuban agents’ efforts to keep the military in line with spies.
Acosta’s murder has been described by U.S. diplomats as a particularly brutal incident, and it has revealed real worries inside the regime about the loyalty of Venezuela’s armed forces. Acosta’s death has caused Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to cancel negotiations with Mr. Maduro.
Venezuelan Attorney General Tarek Saab has reportedly opened an investigation and two probably Russian-trained Cuban counterintelligence agents of the G-2 unit have been arrested, but what corrective action will be taken is unknown. President Trump and more than 50 other countries are expressing opposition as the political and humanitarian crisis deepens in Venezuela.
LT. COL. DOMINIK GEORGE NARGELE
U.S. Marine Corps (retired)
Arlington, Va.
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