Venezuela has declined to provide information in response to Spain’s requests about the whereabouts and charges of two Spaniards detained in the country. The verbal and written appeals from Madrid prompted a formal response: the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the head of Venezuela’s diplomatic mission in Spain to register a firm protest and to insist on the obligation to disclose essential details. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations is routinely invoked to demand timely confirmation of a detainee’s identity, their location, and the charges at stake. The exchanges underscored a period of heightened tension between Madrid and Caracas as the case remained unresolved and the right to information came under international scrutiny. According to official statements, Spain reinforced that a transparent dialogue is essential to protect the rights of the individuals involved and to uphold long standing diplomatic norms.
The two men from Bilbao, Jose Maria Basua Badovinos and Andres Martinez Adasme, aged 32 and 25, are in the custody of Venezuelan authorities. Venezuelan officials have publicly linked them to acts described as terrorism, arms trafficking, and a conspiracy aimed at the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro. Details of the charges and the evidence presented by Venezuelan authorities have not been fully disclosed, fueling concern among families and Spanish officials who insist that consular access and timely information are nonnegotiable rights under international practice. The families have urged reliable updates and access to legal counsel as the case continues to unfold.
Speaking in the Senate, Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares confirmed that there was no information yet on the detainees’ identity, location, or charges. He stressed that the Spanish government expects full compliance with the Vienna Convention, including a swift confirmation of identity, location, and the specific charges. Albares asserted that Spain would rely on diplomatic channels to safeguard the prisoners’ rights and to ensure that their families receive timely and accurate information. He also highlighted the government’s commitment to transparent communication with the public while upholding robust consular protections.
Albares announced that the Venezuelan Chargé d’Affaires in Madrid had been summoned and given the same message, signaling a consistent approach through different diplomatic venues. He noted that four days earlier the Maduro government had summoned its ambassador in Madrid to Caracas for consultations, another indicator of the tensions shaping the discussions. Spain raised concerns in response to remarks by Venezuela’s defense minister describing the Bolivarian regime as a dictatorship, a statement that added friction to the dialogue. Since those developments, Venezuela’s diplomatic mission in Spain has been led by the embassy’s deputy chief of mission, a transition that has added complexity to the handling of the case.
Spain reaffirmed the same position through verbal notes sent from the Spanish Embassy in Caracas and from the Ministry in Madrid to the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry. The Spanish foreign minister stated that Spain would of course apply diplomatic protection and consular protection as needed to safeguard the rights and welfare of the detainees and their families. This reiteration underscores a coordinated effort across Madrid and Caracas to maintain open lines of communication while pressing Caracas for concrete information. The objective remains to secure swift identity verification, precise location details, and the exact charges, in line with international practice and the obligations of the Vienna Convention.
Albares has stressed that the two detainees are treated as any Spanish citizen detained abroad and that the government maintains ongoing contact with the consular directorate and the Caracas Consulate to relay all available information to the families. He emphasized that there is no evidence linking the detainees to any Spanish public institution, including the intelligence community, and that the government continues to engage with international partners on the matter. A letter was also sent to the European Union’s top diplomat to urge reiteration of this issue at the next foreign affairs council, ensuring that the situation remains on the international agenda.
Albares defends his position in the Senate
In the Senate, Albares defended the course of action taken by Spanish authorities, expressing appreciation for the attention paid by colleagues and reiterating the importance of sustained diplomatic and consular support. He made clear that the families are kept informed of every development and that Spain will continue to coordinate with its overseas missions to share updates as they arise. The minister underscored that Madrid will press for full cooperation from Caracas and for unambiguous information on the detainees, including their identities, current location, and the exact charges, until advocates can confirm the due process that international norms demand. The stance reflects a consistent, principled approach aimed at protecting the rights and welfare of Spanish citizens abroad while maintaining a constructive but firm diplomatic posture.