Alberto Trentini: Two months without news from the activist, the family contacts the Italian government.
Alberto Trentini, an Italian aid worker arrested in Venezuela on November 15, has not given any news for almost two months. The family launches an appeal to the Italian government, while Minister Tajani protests forcefully.
Alberto Trentini: Two months without news from the activist, the family contacts the Italian government.
The family of Alberto Trentini, the Italian aid worker originally from Venice, has launched an appeal to the Italian government to take action to bring him home. Trentini, arrested on November 15th in Venezuela during a humanitarian mission with the NGO Humanity & Inclusion, has not given any news of himself for almost two months. His situation remains dramatic, between the silence from Venezuelan authorities and growing concerns for his health.
The family's request
In a note released by the family and the lawyer Alessandra Ballerini, a decisive intervention by the Italian institutions is requested to open a dialogue with the Venezuelan government. “Alberto is in a detention facility, without ever having been formally charged. Despite numerous attempts, neither his family nor our ambassador have been able to communicate with him. It is unacceptable that an Italian citizen, engaged in a humanitarian mission, is deprived of fundamental rights without protection.".
Trentini's mother, Armanda, described her son as "a pawn, a hostage of Venezuela."We are distressed, we have had no news since they took him away. My son has always been generous and devoted to others. It is unacceptable that a person like him finds himself in this situation".
The story
Alberto Trentini, 45 years old, arrived in Venezuela on October 17, 2024 to work with the NGO Humanity & Inclusion, which deals with bringing humanitarian aid to people with disabilities. On November 15, while traveling from Caracas to Guasdalito with the NGO driver, he was stopped at a checkpoint. According to informal sources, he would be transferred to Caracas a few days later, but No formal charges have been filed.
The family also reports that Trentini suffers from health problems and does not have access to medicines or basic necessities.The lack of official information and the absence of direct contacts makes this situation unsustainable.“, the family members denounce.
The reaction of the Italian institutions
After the family's public appeal, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has summoned Venezuela's chargé d'affaires, protesting the lack of transparency regarding Trentini's detention. In a post on Twitter, Tajani reiterated: “Italy will continue to ask Venezuela to respect international laws and the democratic will of its people".
Tajani also criticized the expulsion of three Italian diplomats from Caracas, decided by the Venezuelan government together with the reduction of the staff accredited at the Italian, French and Dutch embassies, due to their alleged “hostile responses” to the installation of President Nicolas Maduro for a third term.
Confirmation of the arrest
The NGO Humanity & Inclusion has confirmed Trentini's arrest and the driver who accompanied him, announcing that she had taken action to obtain their release. However, in order not to interfere with the ongoing investigation, no further details were released.
Who is Alberto Trentini?
Alberto Trentini is a professional with over ten years of experience in the field of development and international cooperation. Graduated in Modern and Contemporary History at Ca' Foscari University of Venice, He stood out for his commitment to improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable communities. "His greatest satisfaction was seeing the smile of the people he helped.“, the mother says, moved.
The request for an urgent intervention
Alberto's family and colleagues They continue to forcefully ask for prompt intervention to bring him home. "His humanitarian mission must become a bridge of dialogue to ensure his return to Italy“, the relatives underline.
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