1. Introduction
The arbitrary detention of NGO worker Alberto Trentini in Venezuela clearly exposes the critical issues of traveling in contexts with high political and legal risk. This case becomes, in the present context, a key example to understand, study, and develop security and mitigation strategies in the field of travel security.
Trentini, a 46-year-old Italian aid worker, had been working since 2022 with the French NGO Humanity & Inclusion when, on November 15, 2024, he was stopped at a checkpoint between Caracas and Gasdualito, and subsequently deprived of his freedom. The aid worker was immediately placed in total isolation, with no contact of any kind, and handed over to the authorities of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (Dgcim). The case shocked the institutions, interested in guaranteeing the protection of fundamental rights – such as legal and medical assistance, and at the same time creating a channel of communication with the family and guarantors – but also the media of every kind. After two months without formal reasons or the possibility of contacting his family, the Italian Foreign Ministry summoned the Venezuelan diplomat and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (CIDH), denouncing a situation of risk for his personal integrity.
In order to understand the relevance of the case and its international and legal gravity, it must be stressed that arbitrary detention is defined as an arrest without a transparent legal basis, with no guarantees of defense or emergency consular access.
In this context, the practice of arbitrary detention is identified as a political and intimidating tool, common in countries characterized by political risk and an almost absent or limited rule of law.
This case is emblematic under many aspects. It is an event that does not fall within the context of terrorism or common crime, but represents a distinct form of political and legal risk where foreign citizens risk arbitrary detention for political or negotiating purposes, or for any other arbitrary reason that benefits the specific country. In such critical contexts, the episode requires deep reflection on travel security policies, preventive information tools, and protection strategies for personnel on missions abroad for various reasons. This extreme measure essentially constitutes a real risk.
1.1. Venezuela as a context and fertile ground for arbitrary detentions
Venezuela – bordering Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana – has been going through a prolonged political-institutional crisis since 2013, and today represents one of the most critical scenarios in Latin America in terms of the rule of law, as well as political, legal, and economic aspects.
The concentration of power in the hands of the executive, the systematic weakening of oversight bodies (such as courts, Parliament, Court of Auditors), and the erosion of civil liberties have progressively transformed the country into an authoritarian regime with strong elements of legal opacity. The country is officially a presidential republic with its own constitution since 1999 but, especially since 2014, the beginning of Nicolas Maduro’s mandate, successor of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela has undergone a critical and progressive slide toward the current form of dictatorship.
Diplomatic tensions between Caracas and many Western governments, including Italy, the United States, and EU countries, worsen the position of foreign citizens present in the country, often perceived as potential agents of interference, especially if involved in economic, humanitarian, political, or journalistic activities. For this reason, travel security once again assumes strategic centrality. Institutional fragility, arbitrariness of law enforcement – often affected by corruption – the absence of judicial safeguards, and the instrumentalization of criminal justice, constitute structural risk factors for any international operator.
Venezuela and its borders [1]
Today’s Venezuela is characterized by a dramatic erosion of democratic guarantees, a prison system marked by coercive practices, and the instrumental use of the detention of foreigners. Trentini is not an isolated case in the Venezuelan context. Other Italian citizens, such as Amerigo de Grazia and Margarita Paulita Assenza, experienced similar detentions, which ended in the summer of 2024 without any proceedings, thus confirming a systemic pattern.
In such a context, travelers – whether aid workers, managers, tourists, or corporate employees – are exposed to risks, abuses, violations, and repressive dynamics with low predictability but high impact. Adequate risk assessment therefore requires a realistic analysis of the political-institutional context, the reliability of the host state, and diplomatic negotiation dynamics, followed by a predefined emergency protocol.
2. Tools to prevent and respond
After identifying and contextualizing the problem, the analysis now focuses on protocols to follow before travel and, if necessary, in the event of a crisis. This will not only serve to outline a checklist, but also to draw lessons useful for readers and sector operators.
Some cases of detention of citizens abroad, often Westerners, due to their nationality, often become bargaining chips between states, used to obtain benefits, leverage, or power. In recent years, many experts in international relations and law have drawn more attention to the phenomenon, highlighting the main debate on the “gray area” in which such detention lies, ambiguously between legitimate detention and the illegal kidnapping of a person. This controversial practice is not new in international politics, but in recent years it has raised growing concern, particularly in Western states.
An effective travel security program in potentially hostile scenarios must integrate at two levels: prevention and risk management.
Prevention includes constant updates through reliable sources (such as the Italian Foreign Ministry, Travel Alerts, human rights NGOs, independent think tanks). Companies must prepare a plan including:
• A checklist before departure, verifying political conditions, treatment of similar cases, available diplomatic channels;
• Training and briefing for travelers, in order to provide knowledge about possible threats and minimal protocols;
• Contact with the local embassy and humanitarian organizations, to ensure an operational logistical and consular reference.
In risk management, incident response procedures play an important role, consisting of a structured approach to respond effectively when freedom violations occur.
They must also define:
• Channels to mobilize diplomatic and consular authorities (the Italian Foreign Ministry);
• Procedures to activate special delegates, such as Luigi Vignali for the Trentini case, to mediate with foreign authorities;
• Mechanisms to manage relations with family, media, NGOs, maintaining discretion and calibrated diplomatic pressure.
3. Implications and recommendations for managers and security specialists
The first point concerns the need to formalize corporate policies that evaluate political scenarios before travel authorization and encourage the use of independent agencies to analyze and prevent risks in hostile contexts. Furthermore, establish “early warning systems” with international agencies, security companies, and local partners to monitor new contextual dynamics or emerging dynamics such as repression.
The second point concerns defining risk and crisis management procedures. This is necessary to create a dedicated crisis cabinet, ready to act in the event of arbitrary detention. Documenting the location and condition of the detainee when possible is essential, as well as preparing appeals, establishing useful relations with local authorities and international humanitarian organizations. Finally, as part of subsequent practices, coordinate communications between family, press, NGOs, without compromising the necessary privacy and without dangerously contributing to further disputes and excessive media complications. The ultimate goal is the protection of the detainee’s health and of the operations aimed at ensuring repatriation.
In addition to these two essential points, it is worth remembering that theoretical and practical procedures for managing the event must be accompanied by personal and psychological assistance and, above all, by working on case studies. Studying and informing oneself, disseminating and training often turns out to be the most effective practice.
4. Conclusions
The Trentini case constitutes an extremely significant paradigm. Cooperative activity, although not political, can converge on structural risks in unstable contexts. For corporate security managers or professional travelers, the case requires a practical and urgent reflection not only on how to prevent potential risks, but also on how to react diplomatically when freedom is unjustly denied.
The critical Venezuelan scenario highlights the need for integrated travel models that combine training and information, preventive risk assessment, state protection channels, and robust crisis management. From this convergence, a travel security system capable of defending people, reputations, and interests even in hostile and unconventional political conditions can emerge.
Sources consulted⁶
https://www.wired.it/article/alberto-trentini-chiamata-famiglia-inviato-tajani
https://confronti.net/2025/07/venezuela-detenuti-stranieri-ostaggi-politici-del-regime-maduro/
https://www.amnesty.it/venezuela-detenzioni-arbitrarie-continuo-strumento-controllo-e-repressione
https://www.viaggiaresicuri.it/find-country/country/VEN
https://www.difesa.it/assets/allegati/38334/18_marone_is_7_ita_2023.pdf
[1] Source of image: “ECHO Venezuela Editable A4 Landscape.”
Autore: EC-JRC (ECHO), 30 settembre 2014.
Licenza: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
Fonte: ERCC Portal – European Commission.