U.S. Immigration authorities have detained a former Venezuelan military officer accused of participating in acts of repression and torture against students and women protesting the Nicolás Maduro regime back in 2014, as reported by the Nuevo Herald. Rafael Quero Silva, who previously served as the commander of the National Guard's Detachment 47, has also worked as an extra in Telemundo soap operas, often portraying police officers. According to records from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Quero Silva is currently held at the Krome detention center in Miami-Dade County.
During the 2014 protests against Maduro's government, Quero Silva was serving as a colonel in the Bolivarian National Guard (GNB) and led the Detachment 47 in Lara state, located in the central-western region of Venezuela. The protests were a response to the dictator's initial term and his economic policies, which led to significant inflation and shortages across the country. According to FUNPAZ, a Venezuelan human rights NGO, Quero Silva has been residing in the United States for approximately eight years. Venezuelan journalist Doricer Alvarado noted that the FBI began its investigation into his activities in 2018.
"Apparently, federal agents managed to interview about 20 victims of the repression carried out by the national guard unit he led, most of whom were student activists from Lara state and are now living outside Venezuela," Alvarado shared on Instagram.
As of now, there is no information on what will happen next to Quero Silva or whether any charges have been filed against him. Similar to him, of the 1,130 identified Cuban repressors, at least 135 have either entered the United States or are in the process of doing so. Their presence poses a security risk, as many are linked to the repressive and military apparatuses of the Cuban and Venezuelan dictatorships.
Key Questions on the Detention of Rafael Quero Silva
Who is Rafael Quero Silva?
Rafael Quero Silva is a former commander of the Venezuelan National Guard's Detachment 47, accused of participating in acts of repression and torture during protests against Nicolás Maduro's regime in 2014.
Why was Rafael Quero Silva detained by ICE?
He was detained due to accusations of human rights violations, including repression and torture, against protesters in Venezuela. The FBI has been investigating his activities since 2018.
What is the significance of his detention?
His detention highlights the presence of individuals linked to oppressive regimes in the U.S., raising security concerns due to their connections with military and repressive bodies in Cuba and Venezuela.