|
| education = [[Military Academy of the Bolivarian Navy]]
}}
'''Rafael Ramón Acosta Arévalo''' (16 June 1969 – 29 June 2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dateas.com/es/persona_venezuela/acosta-arevalo-rafael-ramon-16494821|title=Acosta Arevalo Rafael Ramon - Edo. Amazonas - Venezuela|publisher=Dateas|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703043339/https://www.dateas.com/es/persona_venezuela/acosta-arevalo-rafael-ramon-16494821|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/06/30/america/1561845665_999284.html|title=Muere el militar detenido por conspirar contra Maduro|last1=Singer|first1=Florantonia|date=1 July 2019|newspaper=El País|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630064224/https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/06/30/america/1561845665_999284.html|archive-date=30 June 2019|language=es|trans-title=Military man arrested for conspiring against Maduro dies|issn=1134-6582}}</ref> was a Venezuelan military officer with the rank of [[corvette captain]] of the Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noticierovenevision.net/noticias/politica/ministro-padrino-lopez-informo-la-muerte-del-ex-capitan-de-corbeta-rafael-acosta-arevalo|title=Ministro Padrino López informó la muerte del Capitán Rafael Acosta Arévalo|date=29 June 2019|website=Noticiero Venevisión|language=es|trans-title=Minister Padrino López reported the death of Captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703114404/http://www.noticierovenevision.net/noticias/politica/ministro-padrino-lopez-informo-la-muerte-del-ex-capitan-de-corbeta-rafael-acosta-arevalo|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> Acosta Arévalo was victim of [[forced disappearance]] and [[torture]]d by agents of the [[Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar|General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence]] (DGCIM) during his detention after being accused by the government of [[Nicolás Maduro]] of "conspiring to carry out an attempted [[coup d'état]]". Acosta Arévalo died as a result of injuries suffered while in detention in the Military Hospital of the Army Dr. Vicente Salias Sanoja.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cronica.uno/guaido-firmo-ascenso-postmortem-de-rafael-acosta-arevalo-a-capitan-de-fragata/|title=Guaidó firmó ascenso postmortem de Rafael Acosta Arévalo a capitán de fragata|date=2 July 2019|website=Crónica|language=es|trans-title=Guaidó signed post-mortem promotion of Rafael Acosta Arévalo to frigate captain|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711234644/http://cronica.uno/guaido-firmo-ascenso-postmortem-de-rafael-acosta-arevalo-a-capitan-de-fragata/|archive-date=11 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="Noticiero Digital2">{{cite web|url=http://www.noticierodigital.com/2019/07/periodista-eligio-rojas-publico-supuesto-extracto-de-autopsia-de-acosta-arevalo/|title=Periodista Eligio Rojas publicó supuesto extracto de autopsia de Acosta Arévalo|date=2 July 2019|website=Noticiero Digital|language=es|trans-title=Journalist Eligio Rojas published supposed autopsy extract of Acosta Arévalo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703162817/http://www.noticierodigital.com/2019/07/periodista-eligio-rojas-publico-supuesto-extracto-de-autopsia-de-acosta-arevalo/|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="BBC2">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-48834750|title=Rafael Acosta Arévalo: fiscalía pide el arresto de dos oficiales por muerte del capitán acusado de conspirar contra Maduro|date=1 July 2019|publisher=BBC Mundo|language=es|trans-title=Rafael Acosta Arévalo: Prosecutors request the arrest of two officers for the death of the captain accused of conspiring against Maduro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703114440/https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-48834750|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref name="ABC2">{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-agentes-inteligencia-maduro-mataron-golpes-capitan-acosta-201907032301_noticia.html|title=Agentes de la inteligencia de Maduro mataron a golpes al capitán Acosta|date=4 July 2019|language=es|trans-title=Agents of Maduro's intelligence beat captain Acosta to death|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709225217/https://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-agentes-inteligencia-maduro-mataron-golpes-capitan-acosta-201907032301_noticia.html|archive-date=9 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|newspaper=ABC}}</ref> The news of his death caused great impact in the media and the condemnation of both national and international authorities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanoticias.com/a/ee-uu-condena-a-maduro-por-la-muerte-del-capitan-de-coberta-rafael-acosta-arevalo-/4980344.html|title=EE.UU. condena a Maduro por la muerte del capitán de corbeta Rafael Acosta Arévalo|date=1 July 2019|website=Voice of America|language=es|trans-title=US condemns Maduro for the death of corvette captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703041906/https://www.voanoticias.com/a/ee-uu-condena-a-maduro-por-la-muerte-del-capitan-de-coberta-rafael-acosta-arevalo-/4980344.html|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Acosta Arévalo resided in [[Maracay]]. He graduated from the [[Military Academy of the Bolivarian Navy]], where he obtained his rank of [[Ensign (rank)|ensign]] in the component of the [[Bolivarian Navy of Venezuela|Bolivarian Navy]], of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://efectococuyo.com/politica/familia-del-capitan-rafael-acosta-arevalo-exige-entrega-de-su-cuerpo/|title=Familia del capitán Rafael Acosta Arévalo exige entrega de su cuerpo|last1=Souquett|first1=Mariana|date=1 July 2019|website=[[Efecto Cocuyo]]|language=es|trans-title=Family of Captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo demands delivery of his body|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708003222/http://efectococuyo.com/politica/familia-del-capitan-rafael-acosta-arevalo-exige-entrega-de-su-cuerpo/|archive-date=8 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> He was married to Walewska Pérez and was the father of two children.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.ve/politicayeconomia/Esposa-del-capitan-Rafael-Acosta-Arevalo-pide-a-la-ONU-hacer-examen-forense-20190701-0043.html|title=Esposa del Capitan Rafael Acosta Arévalo pide a la ONU hacer examen forense|date=29 June 2019|website=Panorama|language=es|trans-title=Wife of Captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo asks the UN to do forensic examination|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703120328/https://www.panorama.com.ve/politicayeconomia/Esposa-del-capitan-Rafael-Acosta-Arevalo-pide-a-la-ONU-hacer-examen-forense-20190701-0043.html|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/venezuela/rafael-acosta-arevalo-venezuela-esposa-militar-dice-regimen-asesino-mis-hijos-quedaron-huerfanos-noticia-650766|title=Esposa de Rafael Acosta dice que el régimen lo mató: "Mis hijos quedaron huérfanos de padre"|date=29 June 2019|language=es|trans-title=Wife of Rafael Acosta says that the regime killed him: "My children were left orphaned of a father"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703121345/https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/venezuela/rafael-acosta-arevalo-venezuela-esposa-militar-dice-regimen-asesino-mis-hijos-quedaron-huerfanos-noticia-650766|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|newspaper=El Comercio}}</ref>
==Death==
===Detention and torture===
On 22 June 2019, Acosta Arévalo's wife denounced his disappearance and stated that she had spoken with him for the last time at 2:00 p.m. of the previous day, while he was in a "personal meeting" in [[Guatire]], [[Miranda (state)|Miranda]].<ref name=":03">{{Cite news|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2019/06/29/denuncian-que-un-militar-venezolano-fue-torturado-y-asesinado-por-agentes-de-la-contrainteligencia-chavista/|title=Un militar venezolano fue torturado y asesinado por agentes de la Contrainteligencia chavista|date=29 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703182442/https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2019/06/29/denuncian-que-un-militar-venezolano-fue-torturado-y-asesinado-por-agentes-de-la-contrainteligencia-chavista/|archive-date=3 July 2019|language=es|trans-title=A Venezuelan soldier was tortured and killed by agents of the Chavista counterintelligence|website=[[Infobae]]}}</ref>
On that day, officials from the [[Dirección General de Contrainteligencia Militar|General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence]] (DGCIM) and the [[Bolivarian Intelligence Service]] (SEBIN) detained seven people, including active and retired military and police officers. Among the detainees were two retired colonels, a brigadier general of the aviation, a lieutenant colonel of the Army, two retired commissaries of the [[Cuerpo de Investigaciones Científicas, Penales y Criminalísticas|Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigation Corps]] (CICPC) and a corvette captain of the Navy, Acosta Arévalo. On 26 July, after six days without knowing his whereabouts, Acosta Arévalo's arrest was announced by [[Ministry of Popular Power for Communication and Information|Minister for Communication and Information]] [[Jorge Rodríguez (politician)|Jorge Rodríguez]], who accused three of them, including Captain Acosta Arévalo, of committing "the crimes of terrorism, conspiracy and treason". According to the government, the accused were preparing a coup that "included the death of [[Nicolás Maduro]] and [[Diosdado Cabello]]."<ref name="ABC2" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://supuestonegado.com/muerte-capitan-corbeta-rafael-acosta-arevalo-reaviva-crisis-politica/|title=Muerte del capitán de corbeta Rafael Acosta Arévalo reaviva crisis política|date=2 July 2019|website=Supuesto Negado|language=es|trans-title=Death of the captain of corvette Rafael Acosta Arévalo revives political crisis|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703163319/https://supuestonegado.com/muerte-capitan-corbeta-rafael-acosta-arevalo-reaviva-crisis-politica/|archive-date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref>
During his detention, Cabello assured that the captain was "under safeguard".<ref>{{CitaCite web|url=https://noticialdia.com/2019/07/en-este-video-diosdado-cabello-dice-que-el-capitan-acosta-arevalo-estaba-a-buen-resguardo/|title=Diosdado Cabello dice que el capitan Arévalo estaba "a buen resguardo"|access-date=2021-03-13|date=2019-07-01}}</ref>
On 28 June, Acosta Arévalo was transferred by a DGCIM commission to the headquarters of the military court to hold his presentation hearing, where he arrived in a wheelchair with serious indications of torture. DGCIM officials prevented Acosta Arévalo's interview with his lawyers from being private. Acosta Arévalo presented many excoriations in the arms, little sensitivity in the hands, extreme inflammation in the feet, traces of blood in the nails, and injuries in the torso. Acosta Arévalo was also unable to move his hands or feet, to get up or to speak, with the exception of accepting the appointment of his defender and asking his lawyer for help.<ref name=":02">{{Cite news|url=https://runrun.es/runrunes-de-bocaranda/runrunes/383686/acaso-un-segundo-alban-torturas-en-dgcim-provocaron-la-muerte-al-c-c-acosta-arevalo-por-nelson-bocaranda/|title=¿Acaso un segundo Albán? ¿Torturas en Dgcim provocaron la muerte al C.C. Acosta Arévalo?|last1=Bocaranda|first1=Nelson|date=30 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709234126/https://runrun.es/runrunes-de-bocaranda/runrunes/383686/acaso-un-segundo-alban-torturas-en-dgcim-provocaron-la-muerte-al-c-c-acosta-arevalo-por-nelson-bocaranda/|archive-date=9 July 2019|language=es|trans-title=Maybe a second Albán? Torture in DGCIM caused death to C.C. Acosta Arévalo?|author-link=Nelson Bocaranda|website=[[Runrunes]]}}</ref>
The judge ordered that Acosta Arévalo be transferred to the Army Military Hospital Dr. Vicente Salias Sanoja, located in Fort Tiuna in [[Caracas]],<ref name="Noticiero Digital2" /><ref name="BBC2" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2019/06/29/rocio-san-miguel-detalla-las-implicaciones-del-asesinato-rafael-acosta/|title=Rocío San Miguel detalla las implicaciones del asesinato de Rafael Acosta|date=29 June 2019|website=Venezuela Al Día|language=es|trans-title=Rocío San Miguel details the implications of the murder of Rafael Acosta|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705191031/http://www.venezuelaaldia.com/2019/06/29/rocio-san-miguel-detalla-las-implicaciones-del-asesinato-rafael-acosta/|archive-date=5 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> upon observing his critical physical condition and his presentation hearing was postponed. Later, the judge of the case reported that Acosta Arévalo had died at night in the hospital.<ref name=":02"/><ref name="ReutersAcostaArevalo">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-idUSKCN1TV0MR|title=Venezuela confirms death of detained officer, his wife says he was tortured|lastlast1=Sequera|firstfirst1=Vivian|date=30 June 2019|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703005540/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-idUSKCN1TV0MR|archive-date=3 July 2019|agencywork=Reuters|last2=Ellsworth|first2=Brian}}</ref>
After news of Acosta Arévalo's death and the circumstances surrounding it were made public, it was reported that "DGCIM" could not be entered as a [[hashtag]] on [[Twitter]], reportedly having been [[Censorship and media control during the Venezuelan presidential crisis|blocked]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/2019/06/29/palabra-dgcim-desaparece-en-twitter-tras-denuncias-por-la-muerte-del-c-c-rafael-acosta-arevalo/|title=Palabra Dgcim desaparece en Twitter tras denuncias por la muerte del C/C Rafael Acosta Arévalo|date=29 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704021344/https://www.lapatilla.com/2019/06/29/palabra-dgcim-desaparece-en-twitter-tras-denuncias-por-la-muerte-del-c-c-rafael-acosta-arevalo/|archive-date=4 July 2019|language=es|trans-title=Word DGCIM disappears on Twitter after reports of the death of C/C Rafael Acosta Arévalo|website=[[La Patilla]]}}</ref>
===Investigations===
The government of Nicolás Maduro did not provide a cause of death but announced an investigation on the matter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/31069508ae6b4d84af1b1f4657d2668d|title=Death of Venezuelan navy captain draws US condemnation|date=30 June 2019|website=Associated Press|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> The Maduro government issued statements following the death of Acosta Arévalo with different contradictions.<ref name="Contradictions"/> Jorge Rodríguez announced that Acosta Arévalo's death occurred "during the presentation ceremony in front of the competent court". The attorney general appointed by the Maduro-aligned [[2017 Constituent National Assembly|Constituent National Assembly]], [[Tarek William Saab]], said that Acosta Arévalo "was being brought before the court" when he lost consciousness, and [[Ministry of Defense (Venezuela)|Defense Minister]] [[Vladimir Padrino López]] said Acosta Arévalo fainted before the hearing began.<ref name="Contradictions"/> Diosdado Cabello dismissed the possibility of an independent investigation, expressing "we trust in our justice", calling the Public Ministry to begin an investigation and mentioning that "whoever has responsibility in the case must assume it".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cabello sobre caso del capitán Acosta: Cada quien asuma su responsabilidad, confiamos en nuestra justicia #3Jul|trans-title=Cabello on case of Captain Acosta: Everyone assumes responsibility, we trust in our justice #3Jul|url=https://www.elimpulso.com/2019/07/03/cabello-sobre-caso-del-capitan-acosta-cada-quien-asuma-su-responsabilidad-confiamos-en-nuestra-justicia-3jul/|date=3 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=El Impulso|language=es}}</ref>
According to the president of the NGO Control Ciudadano, Rocío San Miguel, "Captain Acosta Arévalo died innocent, since never since his arrest was he formally charged by the Venezuelan state, who violated the most basic constitutional guarantees of due process."<ref name="Contradictions">{{Cite news|title=Las contradicciones del gobierno en la muerte del capitán Rafael Acosta Arévalo|trans-title=The contradictions of the government in the death of Captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo|url=https://runrun.es/noticias/383675/las-contradicciones-del-gobierno-en-la-muerte-del-capitan-rafael-acosta-arevalo/|date=30 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[Runrunes]]|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Delito imputado a funcionarios de la DGCIM por muerte del capitán Acosta tiene una pena máxima de 9 años de prisión|trans-title=Offense attributed to DGCIM officials for the death of Captain Acosta has a maximum penalty of 9 years in prison|url=https://www.reporteconfidencial.info/delito-imputado-a-funcionarios-de-la-dgcim-por-muerte-del-capitan-acosta-tiene-una-pena-maxima-de-9-anos-de-prision/|date=1 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=Reporte Confidencial|language=es}}</ref>
The attorney general in exile, [[Luisa Ortega Díaz]], issued a statement in which she states that she appointed a multidisciplinary team to clarify the death, to determine the responsibility of the authors and impose the corresponding sanctions.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ortega Díaz inicia investigación por asesinato del C/C Acosta Arévalo|trans-title=Ortega Díaz initiates investigation for the murder of C/C Acosta Arévalo|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/2019/06/30/ortega-diaz-inicia-investigacion-por-asesinato-del-c-c-acosta-arevalo/|date=30 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[La Patilla]]|language=es}}</ref> According to exiled former prosecutor Zair Mundaray, who said he had been briefed on the autopsy findings by members of the judiciary with access to the report, Acosta had sixteen fractured ribs, eight on each side, fracture of the nasal septum, excoriations in shoulders, elbows, and knees, hematomas in the inner thigh and both extremities, whip-like injuries in the back and thighs, a fractured foot, multiple abrasions and signs of small burns in both feet which suggested that electric shocks had been used.<ref>{{cite news|title=Slain Venezuelan Navy captain was tortured, attorney says |workagency=[[Associated Press]] |last1=Sanchez |first1=Fabiola |last2=Smith |first2=Scott |publisher=Local10.com |url=https://www.local10.com/news/crime/slain-venezuelan-navy-captain-was-tortured-attorney-says |date=12 July 2019 |accessdateaccess-date=15 July 2019 |quotation=Zair Mundaray, an exiled former Venezuelan prosecutor, said Acosta suffered 16 broken ribs and burns on his feet that pointed to use of electric shocks. Mundaray said he was briefed on the autopsy findings by members of Venezuela's judiciary who had access to the report. The Associated Press could not verify the claims.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cadáver del capitán Acosta muestra 16 costillas rotas y quemaduras por posible electrocución|trans-title=Captain Acosta's corpse shows 16 broken ribs and burns from possible electrocution|url=https://elpitazo.net/politica/cadaver-del-capitan-arevalo-muestra-16-costillas-rotas-y-quemaduras-por-posible-electrocucion/|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[El Pitazo]]|language=es|date=3 July 2019}}</ref>
According to the preliminary autopsy report, the cause of death was severe [[cerebral edema]] due to acute [[respiratory failure]], leading to [[Pulmonary embolism|pulmonary thromboembolism]], the product of [[rhabdomyolysis]] due to widespread [[polytrauma]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://talcualdigital.com/index.php/2019/07/02/autopsia-del-cadaver-de-rafael-acosta-arevalo-revela-lesiones-graves-por-posible-golpiza/|title=Autopsia al cadáver de Rafael Acosta Arévalo revela lesiones graves por posible golpiza|trans-title=Autopsy on the corpse of Rafael Acosta Arévalo reveals serious injuries due to possible beating|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|date=2 July 2019|website=Tal Cual|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/filtran-autopsia-del-capitan-acosta-arevalo-que-confirma-que-fue-torturado_287285|title=Filtran autopsia del capitán Acosta Arévalo que confirma que fue torturado|trans-title=Leaked autopsy of Captain Acosta Arévalo, confirming that he was tortured|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|date=3 July 2019|website=El Nacional|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |title=Venezuela: UN report accuses Maduro of ‘gross'gross violations’violations' against dissenters |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/04/venezuela-un-report-nicolas-maduro-violations-against-dissenters |accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 July 2019}}</ref> — lack of brain function after multiple physical injuries.
The [[Public Ministry of Venezuela|Public Prosecutor's Office]] charged two officials assigned to the Directorate General of Military Intelligence (DGCIM), Lieutenant Ascanio Antonio Tarascio and Sergeant Estiben Zarate, and requested their preventive detention as suspects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.panorama.com.ve/politicayeconomia/Fiscalia-imputo-a-dos-militares-por-muerte-del-capitan-Acosta-Arevalo--20190701-0078.html|title=Fiscalía imputó a dos militares por muerte del capitán Acosta Arévalo|trans-title=Prosecutor's office charged two soldiers for the death of Captain Acosta Arévalo|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|date=3 July 2019|website=Panorama|language=es}}</ref> The officers were charged with the crime of "pre-intentional concausal homicide", which has a maximum penalty of nine years in prison. Gonzalo Himiob, vice-president of [[Foro Penal]], denounced that a pre-intentional concausal homicide supposes that the death of the person was caused by executing intentional acts with the intention of injuring them, not killing them, and that defining as a common crime any act that is a serious violation to the human rights is a "strategy aimed at distorting the truth and seeking impunity for those responsible" and to qualify homicide as "concausal" implies that the death would not have taken place without the presence of pre-existing or unexpected conditions or situations unknown by the murderer, or unforeseen events, which would have not depended on their actions.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Delito imputado a funcionarios de la Dgcim por muerte del capitán Acosta tiene una pena máxima de 9 años de prisión|trans-title=Offense attributed to officials of the DGCIM for the death of Captain Acosta has a maximum penalty of 9 years in prison|url=https://www.sumarium.es/2019/07/01/delito-imputado-a-funcionarios-de-la-dgcim-por-muerte-del-capitan-acosta-tiene-una-pena-maxima-de-9-anos-de-prision/|date=1 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=Sumarium|language=es}}</ref> Former ombudswoman Gabriela Ramírez regretted that the country's Law against Torture was not applied and that the plan developed in her administration was discarded, of which she blamed her successor, Tarek William Saab.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cronica.uno/caso-del-capitan-acosta-arevalo-revela-que-la-ley-contra-la-tortura-es-letra-muerta/|title=Caso del capitán Acosta Arévalo revela que la Ley contra la Tortura es letra muerta|trans-title=Case of Captain Acosta Arévalo reveals that the Law against Torture is a dead letter|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=Crónica Uno|language=es|date=2 July 2019}}</ref>
===Controlled burial===
Acosta Arévalo's corpse spent twelve days in the {{ill|Bello Monte Morgue|es|Morgue de Bello Monte}} guarded by the police and later buried in the {{ill|Eastern Cemetery (Caracas)|lt=Eastern Cemetery|es|Cementerio del Este (Caracas)}}, in Caracas. The [[Venezuelan National Police|Bolivarian National Police]] closed the access to the cemetery and the authorities conducted a controlled burial similar to that of [[Óscar Alberto Pérez|Óscar Pérez]], in a sealed coffin and against the will of his relatives, whose will is for his remains to be buried in Maracay, Aragua, where most of the family resides.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Hermana de Acosta Arévalo identificó el cuerpo y proceden a la inhumación controlada|trans-title=Sister of Acosta Arévalo identified the body and they proceeded to the controlled burial|url=https://elpitazo.net/sucesos/furgoneta-del-cementerio-del-este-llega-a-la-morgue-para-retirar-al-capitan-acosta/|date=10 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[El Pitazo]]|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=El régimen de Nicolás Maduro enterró el cuerpo del capitán Rafael Acosta Arévalo en un ataúd sellado y contra la voluntad de la familia|trans-title=The regime of Nicolás Maduro buried the body of Captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo in a sealed coffin and against the will of the family|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/venezuela/2019/07/10/el-regimen-de-nicolas-maduro-enterro-el-cuerpo-del-capitan-rafael-acosta-arevalo-en-un-ataud-sellado-y-contra-la-voluntad-de-la-familia/|date=10 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[Infobae]]|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-captain/against-family-wishes-venezuela-government-buries-navy-captain-who-died-in-captivity-idUSKCN1U52M0|title=Against family wishes, Venezuela government buries navy captain who died in captivity|date=2019-07-10|agencywork=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711172748/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-captain/against-family-wishes-venezuela-government-buries-navy-captain-who-died-in-captivity-idUSKCN1U52M0|archive-date=2019-07-11|access-date=2019-07-12|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The same day, security officers raided the residence of Arévalo's parents-in-law in Maracay.<ref>{{cite news|title=Allanaron residencia de los suegros del capitán Acosta Arévalo|url=https://runrun.es/noticias/384397/allanaron-residencia-de-los-suegros-del-capitan-acosta-arevalo/|date=11 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|work=Runrun.es|publisher=[[El Nacional (Venezuela)|El Nacional]]}}</ref>
===Reactions===
The [[European Union]] called for a "complete and independent" investigation into the death of Acosta Arévalo, considering that the case highlights "the arbitrary nature of the judicial system and the lack of guarantees and rights" for detainees in Venezuela.<ref name="El Heraldo"/><ref name="DW"/> The [[Lima Group]], made up of 14 countries in the Americas, repudiated the captain's death in a statement, calling it a "murder".<ref name="El Heraldo"/><ref name="DW">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/venezuela-accused-of-killing-naval-officer/a-49424685|title=Venezuela accused of killing naval officer|date=1 July 2019|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=12 July 2019}}</ref> The secretary general of the [[Organization of American States]], [[Luis Almagro]], demanded "truth and justice for the murder" of Acosta Arévalo, and directly blamed "the dictatorship."<ref name="El Heraldo"/>
The United States considered the case as "a grim example" of "how far it goes the persecution against Maduro's adversaries."<ref name="El Heraldo">{{Cite news|title=Repudio internacional y llamados a la ONU tras muerte de militar detenido en Venezuela|trans-title=International repudiation and calls to the UN following the death of a military detainee in Venezuela|url=https://www.elheraldo.co/mundo/repudio-internacional-y-llamados-la-onu-tras-muerte-de-militar-detenido-en-venezuela-645916|date=30 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|newspaper=El Heraldo|language=es}}</ref> [[Germany]] declared that the death of Acosta Arévalo "is an obstacle to a negotiated solution in Venezuela".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Portavoz alemán dice que deceso del C/C Acosta Arévalo es un obstáculo para una salida negociada en Venezuela|trans-title=German spokesman says that the death of C/C Acosta Arevalo is an obstacle to a negotiated exit in Venezuela|url=https://apuntoenlinea.com/2019/07/01/portavoz-aleman-dice-que-deceso-del-c-c-acosta-arevalo-es-un-obstaculo-para-una-salida-negociada-en-venezuela/|date=1 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=Apunto en Línea|language=es}}</ref> [[France]] condemned Acosta Arévalo's death and called for an "independent investigation" to clarify the circumstances in which it occurred.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Francia condenó muerte de Acosta Arévalo y reclamó una investigación|trans-title=France condemned the death of Acosta Arévalo and demanded an investigation|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/mundo/francia-condeno-muerte-acosta-arevalo-reclamo-una-investigacion_287017|date=1 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|newspaper=El Nacional|language=es}}</ref> In [[Colombia]], [[President of Colombia|President]] [[Iván Duque Márquez|Iván Duque]] strongly rejected the death of the captain, declaring that "the world must put an end to that dictatorship".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Iván Duque sobre muerte de C/C Acosta Arévalo: El mundo debe ponerle fin a esa dictadura|trans-title=Iván Duque on the death of C/C Acosta Arévalo: The world must put an end to that dictatorship|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/2019/06/30/ivan-duque-sobre-muerte-de-c-c-acosta-arevalo-el-mundo-debe-ponerle-fin-a-esa-dictadura/|date=30 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[La Patilla]]|language=es}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Spain)|Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs]], [[Josep Borrell]], mentioned after what happened with the death of Acosta Arévalo, that "something happened and we want to know." He also asked for a clear investigation on the matter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.descifrado.com/2019/07/03/borrell-considera-sospechosa-muerte-del-capitan-rafael-acosta/|title=Borrell considera sospechosa muerte del capitán Rafael Acosta|trans-title=Borrell considers suspicious death of Captain Rafael Acosta|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|date=3 July 2019|website=Descifrado|language=es}}</ref> The [[Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (Mexico)|Mexican Secretary of Foreign Affairs]] expressed concern about the death of Acosta Arévalo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/latinoamerica/mexico-expreso-preocupacion-por-muerte-del-capitan-rafael-acosta_287011|title=México expresó su preocupación por la muerte del capitán Rafael Acosta|trans-title=Mexico expressed concern over the death of Captain Rafael Acosta|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|date=1 July 2019|website=El Nacional|language=es}}</ref>
Acosta Arévalo's wife, Venezuelan human rights advocates, [[Juan Guaidó]] and the [[United States Department of State|US Department of State]] accused Maduro's government of torturing the captain to death.<ref name=ReutersAcostaArevalo /> A statement from the internal policy committee of the [[National Assembly (Venezuela)|National Assembly]] reported that the legislative body would request the [[International Criminal Court]] and the [[United Nations]] to investigate the death of the captain. Guaidó, [[President of the National Assembly of Venezuela|President of the National Assembly]] and [[2019 Venezuelan presidential crisis|disputed]] [[President of Venezuela|interim President of Venezuela]], described the event as "abominable" and declared that immediate contact was established with the family and the United Nations commission, which instructed both the appointed ambassadors and representatives abroad to file a complaint with foreign governments and the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]], [[Michelle Bachelet]], and that information would continue to be collected on Acosta Arévalo's death.<ref name=":03"/>
Deputy [[Delsa Solórzano]] sent a statement to Bachelet demanding compliance with the [[Minnesota Protocol]], a model procedure recommended by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to investigate [[crimes against humanity]], in the case that illegal executions were committed, and which is aimed at preventing state officials suspected of having committed the crimes from acting or influencing the investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Delsa Solórzano pide a Bachelet aplicar protocolo de Minnesota por caso del C/C Acosta Arévalo|trans-title=Delsa Solórzano asks Bachelet to apply the Minnesota Protocol for the case of C/C Acosta Arévalo|url=https://www.el-carabobeno.com/delsa-solorzano-pide-a-bachelet-aplicar-protocolo-de-minnesota-por-caso-del-c-c-acosta-arevalo/|date=30 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|newspaper=[[El Carabobeño]]|language=es}}</ref> Opposition leaders such as [[Julio Borges]] and [[Antonio Ledezma]] also condemned the death.<ref name=":03" />
Due to the death of the captain, the delegation of Guaidó in negotiations with the Maduro government suspended their trip to the third round of talks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elpitazo.net/politica/muerte-del-capitan-acosta-fue-el-detonante-para-suspension-de-la-tercera-ronda-de-mediacion/|title=Muerte del capitán Acosta detonó la suspensión de nueva ronda de mediación|trans-title=Death of Captain Acosta detonated the suspension of the new round of mediation|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|first1=Dayimar|last1=Ayala Altuve|date=30 June 2019|website=El Pitazo|language=es}}</ref> On 2 July 2019, Acosta Arévalo was posthumously promoted to [[frigate captain]] by Guaidó in representation of the National Assembly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/noticias/politica/guaido-ascendio-capitan-fragata-rafael-acosta-arevalo_287216|title=Guaidó ascendió a capitán de fragata a Rafael Acosta Arévalo|trans-title=Guaidó promoted Rafael Acosta Arévalo to frigate captain|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|date=1 July 2019|newspaper=El Nacional|language=es}}</ref>
The NGO [[PROVEA]] asked the technical team in Venezuela of Bachelet that Maduro give an explanation for the death of Acosta Arévalo.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Provea pide al equipo de Bachelet en Venezuela qué Maduro de explicación sobre caso del C/C Rafael Acosta|trans-title=Provea asks Bachelet's team in Venezuela to explain the case of C/C Rafael Acosta|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/2019/06/29/provea-pide-al-equipo-de-bachelet-en-venezuela-que-maduro-de-explicacion-sobre-caso-del-c-c-rafael-acosta/|date=29 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[La Patilla]]|language=es}}</ref> The ''Comité de Familiares de las Víctimas'' (COFAVIC, "Committee of Relatives of Victims") issued a statement expressing its deep concern over the death of Acosta Arévalo, arguing that "torture is designed with the deliberate purpose of frighten".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cofavic emite comunicado por el caso del Capitán Rafael Acosta Arévalo|trans-title=Cofavic issues statement for the case of Captain Rafael Acosta Arévalo|url=https://runrun.es/noticias/383804/cofavic-emite-comunicado-por-el-caso-capitan-rafael-acosta-arevalo/|date=1 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[Runrunes]]|language=es}}</ref>
Days later, the head of the Armed Forces high command, Remigio Ceballos, assured that the captain "died while in custody" and that he had conspired against the state for more than ten years. However, the official mentioned that "the entire FANB regrets the events related to the loss of the retired officer".<ref>{{Cite news|title=Alto oficial venezolano dice que capitán que murió tras torturas "conspiró" por 10 años|trans-title=High-ranking Venezuelan official says captain who died after torture "conspired" for 10 years|url=https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/venezuela/rafael-acosta-arevalo-venezuela-alto-oficial-afirma-militar-asesinado-conspiro-10-anos-noticia-652810|date=5 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es}}</ref>
On 30 June, a floral wreath with the message "We join the pain of the Armed Forces: We demand justice" was left outside the General Command of the Navy, in Caracas.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Corona en honor al C/C Acosta Arévalo es dejada en Comandancia General de la Armada|trans-title=Wreath in honor of the C/C Acosta Arévalo is left in the General Command of the Navy|url=http://www.2001.com.ve/tumandas8d/209476/-corona-en-honor-al-c-c-acosta-arevalo-es-dejada-en-comandancia-general-de-la-armada-.html|date=30 June 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|newspaper=Diario 2001|language=es}}</ref> The wreath and other floral offerings were rejected and kicked by military men who guarded the command.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Bota militar aparta ofrenda floral a Acosta Arévalo en la Comandancia de la Armada|trans-title=Military boot sets aside floral offering to Acosta Arévalo in the Navy Command|url=https://elpitazo.net/politica/militares-patean-ofrenda-floral-a-acosta-arevalo-en-la-comandancia-de-la-armada/|date=2 July 2019|accessdateaccess-date=12 July 2019|website=[[El Pitazo]]|language=es}}</ref>
==See also==
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