Chile Asks U.S. to Interrogate Maduro About Killing of Venezuelan Dissident

Chilean prosecutor requests cooperation from U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in investigation of exiled dissident's murder

Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:07pm

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Chile's National Prosecutor Ángel Valencia has requested that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi interrogate former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro about the assassination of exiled Venezuelan dissident Ronald Ojeda. Ojeda, a former Venezuelan lieutenant, was abducted and killed in Santiago, Chile in 2024, and Chilean authorities believe the Tren de Aragua criminal gang with ties to Maduro's regime was involved.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tensions between Chile and Venezuela, as well as the challenges of prosecuting crimes committed across international borders. Maduro, who is currently detained in the U.S. on narco-terrorism charges, could provide key information about the dissident's killing if he agrees to cooperate with Chilean authorities.

The details

According to Chilean prosecutors, Ojeda was abducted from his home in Santiago in February 2024 by men posing as immigration officers. His body was later found buried in a suitcase. Investigators determined that the Tren de Aragua gang, which has ties to Maduro's regime in Venezuela, was involved in the murder. One of the suspects was found to be an employee in the office of the governor of Venezuela's Aragua state.

  • On February 21, 2024, Ojeda was abducted from his residence in Santiago.
  • On March 1, 2024, Ojeda's body was found buried in a suitcase in Santiago.
  • In October 2025, former Chilean President Gabriel Boric linked Ojeda's killing to Maduro's regime in Venezuela.

The players

Ángel Valencia

Chile's National Prosecutor who traveled to Washington to meet with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Pam Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General who met with Chilean prosecutor Ángel Valencia to discuss cooperation in the investigation.

Ronald Ojeda

A 32-year-old exiled Venezuelan lieutenant who was a vocal critic of Nicolás Maduro's regime and was killed in Santiago in 2024.

Nicolás Maduro

The former president of Venezuela who is currently detained in the U.S. on narco-terrorism charges and whom Chilean authorities want to interrogate about Ojeda's murder.

Gabriel Boric

The former president of Chile who linked Ojeda's killing to Maduro's regime in a 2025 speech.

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What they’re saying

“Without going beyond Chile, we have the case of the assassination of a former Venezuelan soldier, where one of the suspects of having perpetrated the assassination is the very regime of dictator Nicolás Maduro, who steals elections in his country.”

— Gabriel Boric, Former President of Chile (Speech in October 2025)

“It is a very favorable, very positive response. We are very pleased with that.”

— Ángel Valencia, Chile National Prosecutor (Breitbart)

What’s next

The Chilean prosecutors have prepared a questionnaire to be sent to U.S. authorities, and Attorney General Bondi has expressed willingness to assist with the questioning of Maduro, pending his cooperation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between Chile and Venezuela, as well as the challenges of prosecuting crimes that cross international borders. The cooperation between Chilean and U.S. authorities in this investigation could set a precedent for future cross-border criminal cases.