New developments in the Argentine universal jurisdiction case against Venezuelan authorities
The case brought before the Argentine federal courts under the principle of universal jurisdiction to investigate crimes against humanity committed in Venezuela continues to make significant progress. The proceedings, which had already set a historic precedent following the confirmation of the jurisdiction of the Argentine courts to investigate these events, now mark a new key development: the processing in Spain of an extradition request against a former colonel of the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) accused of participating in serious human rights violations that occurred during the 2014 protests.
As analysed in the previous article entitled “Argentine justice confirms its jurisdiction to investigate crimes against humanity in Venezuela”, the investigation in Argentina originated from complaints filed in 2023 by the Clooney Foundation for Justice, Interjust and other organisations before the Second National Federal Criminal and Correctional Court, on behalf of Venezuelan victims of murder, persecution and state violence. The case alleges that the Venezuelan authorities carried out a systematic plan of repression and committed crimes against humanity against a backdrop of the progressive erosion of democratic safeguards and the rule of law.
In this context, the recent extradition request issued by the Argentine judiciary represents a new step in the pursuit of truth and accountability. The measure involves former GNB Colonel Ephraín Enrique Verdú Torrelles, who is currently believed to be in Spanish territory and is under investigation in Argentina for the alleged crime of murder as a crime against humanity.
The extradition order was issued by the relevant Argentine court after receiving –in February 2026– information from Interjust regarding Verdú Torrelles’ presence in Spain. Subsequently, this was formally transmitted to the Spanish authorities by the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In March 2026, the Spanish Council of Ministers approved the continuation of the proceedings and the case was filed with the Investigating Court of the Central Court of First Instance No. 2 of the National High Court.
This development is particularly significant in a context where Venezuelan victims continue to face enormous obstacles in accessing effective domestic justice mechanisms. The possibility that an alleged perpetrator may be extradited and brought to trial in Argentina constitutes one of the first concrete opportunities to move towards individual accountability for the crimes under investigation in the universal jurisdiction case. In this regard, various international and human rights organisations have publicly supported the process and called for the full cooperation of the Spanish authorities with the extradition proceedings.
Recent developments in the Argentine case reaffirm the role of universal jurisdiction as a fundamental legal tool for tackling impunity for international crimes, particularly in contexts where national systems do not offer adequate guarantees of investigation and punishment. In a global landscape marked by growing political tensions and challenges to multilateralism, such proceedings demonstrate the continued relevance of international law as a mechanism for protecting victims and curbing abuses of power.
At the same time, the progress of the investigation highlights the importance of international judicial cooperation in ensuring that those accused of crimes against humanity do not find safe haven outside their countries of origin. The eventual extradition of the former Venezuelan colonel could set a precedent of enormous importance not only for Venezuelan victims, but also for the strengthening of universal jurisdiction as an effective instrument of global justice.
Federica Carnevale, Project Manager at FIBGAR.
Those wishing to follow the chronological development of this case, as well as to understand how universal jurisdiction operates in Argentina and the main challenges it faces, may consult the FIBGAR report: Universal Jurisdiction in Argentina. A legal tool from the Global South in the face of international crimes.
