Due to Administrative Procedures, Panamanian Sailor Olmedo Nuñez Remains Detained in Venezuela

The case of Panamanian sailor Olmedo Javier Núñez has once again been put on hold. Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Arturo Hoyos confirmed that Núñez’s release from Venezuela did not take place as previously reported.  He said that everything was halted due to “administrative issues” within the release process.  According to Hoyos, there was an internal change that caused confusion. He indicated that Núñez was “transferred,” which ended up delaying the process.   Hoyos did not specify the exact stage of the process or how much longer it might take, but said the release has not yet been carried out.  The situation escalated after the events of January 16. On that day, the Panamanian government publicly announced that the sailor had been released.

Hours later, the Foreign Ministry issued a correction and retracted the statement through an official press release.  In that document, the Panamanian Foreign Ministry indicated that negotiations were ongoing. It clarified that the initial information was incorrect and that Núñez remained detained in Venezuela, where he has been in custody for more than seven months.  The case has also been confirmed by Foro Penal. Their spokesperson, Alfredo Romero, explained that the Panamanian man was on a list of those scheduled to be released on Wednesday night. However, he stated that for reasons they do not understand, the release simply did not take place.  Meanwhile, Olmedo Javier Núñez continues to wait. The process remains open, and Panamanian authorities are continuing their efforts, though no concrete date for his release has been set.