Background on Fabián Buglione
Fabián Buglione, a Uruguayan national, was released from Venezuelan detention after nine months. He has resided in the United States for over twenty years.
Release and Journey Home
Following his release in Caracas, Buglione was transported to Bogotá by Uruguayan diplomats before embarking on his journey back to the United States on Saturday.
Uruguayan Foreign Affairs Minister, Mario Lubetkin, expressed gratitude for the “excellent cooperation” between Uruguay and US authorities regarding Buglione’s release. However, he clarified that Uruguay did not participate in any prisoner exchange negotiations with Venezuela or Salvadoran involvement.
Lubetkin explained that Buglione was handed over around midday on Friday and a commercial flight was arranged for his departure from Bogotá later that afternoon.
Buglione spent the night in Bogotá and requested to travel directly to the United States, where he has lived for more than two decades.
“He will be traveling in these hours on a commercial flight from Bogotá to the United States to reunite with his family,” stated Lubetkin, adding that Buglione plans to visit Montevideo at a later date.
Information on Arrest and Current Relations
Uruguayan authorities were informed on Thursday that Nicolás Maduro’s government would release Buglione, according to Lubetkin.
Lubetkin declined to comment on the reasons for Buglione’s arrest in October 2024 at the Venezuela-Colombia border or details about his detention conditions.
“He appeared quite worn out and stressed during our phone conversation,” Lubetkin described. “He mentioned seeing his reflection in a mirror for the first time in many months.”
The release of Buglione does not affect the diplomatic relations between Uruguay and Venezuela, according to Lubetkin.
Diplomatic Relations and Future Steps
The administration of leftist Foreign Affairs Minister Yamandú Orsi does not recognize Nicolás Maduro’s re-election in 2024, a topic that led to the departure of Uruguayan and Venezuelan diplomats during Luis Lacalle Pou’s center-right government.
Despite this, both countries agreed in June to resume consular services in the coming months.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Fabián Buglione? An Uruguayan national who had been detained in Venezuela for nine months and resides in the United States.
- Why was Buglione released? The Venezuelan government, under Nicolás Maduro, decided to release him without Uruguay’s participation in any prisoner exchange negotiations.
- What is the status of Uruguay-Venezuela relations? The release of Buglione has not impacted diplomatic relations between the two countries.
- What are future steps for Uruguay and Venezuela? Both countries have agreed to resume consular services in the coming months.
