Two Colombians and one Canadian-Colombian were detained by Venezuelan authorities and accused of espionage Monday, after they took photos of a telecommunications base during a vacation in the Venezuelan state of Maracay.
Colombians Cruz Elba Giraldo and her nephew Santiago Giraldo, along with Canadian-Colombian doctor Carlos Cossio became the subjects of an investigation, which led to a search of the Giraldo family business, after they took the photos.
In the search Venezuelan authorities found Cruz Elba Giraldo’s identity card from when she served as a secretary in the Colombian army for three years. Venezuelan authorities also found the identity card of Carlos Cossio from when he served in the Colombian army as a doctor.
Venezuela found these documents to be proof of espionage on the part of the Colombians and arrested them. They remain in custody in the Venezuelan state of Barinas.
Relatives of the detainees reported the arrests to the Colombian government. The family has asked the Colombian government and the Colombian Foreign Ministry to intervene in the case to help the Colombians to be released.