Igbert Marín Chaparro faces new criminal trial in Venezuela

A new criminal trial has begun against Venezuelan Lieutenant Colonel Igbert Marín Chaparro, known as ‘Caso La Viñeta’. The NGO Realidad Helicoide and the opposition party Primero Justicia have denounced the proceedings, alleging that the new case is a maneuver to prevent his release after he completed a previous sentence of seven years and six months.

Authorities have charged Marín Chaparro with terrorism, alleging he planned an attack on the National Electoral Council (CNE) and the capture of high-ranking government officials, including Delcy Rodríguez and Nicolás Maduro. However, defense advocates and opposition groups argue these alleged plans were formulated while the officer was already in state custody and incommunicado at the Directorate General of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM).

Marín Chaparro, a former commander of the Juan Pablo Ayala Motorized Infantry Battalion, was originally detained in 2018 after reporting corruption. He was convicted in 2020 for instigating rebellion. Currently, he remains in isolation at the El Rodeo I prison, with prosecutors reportedly seeking a maximum sentence of 30 years.