Trentin, Mattarella telephones the mother of the cooperator detained in Venezuela

The President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella in recent days telephoned the mother of Alberto Trentini, the Veneto-based aid worker detained for over a year in Venezuela. This was reported by sources close to the aid worker's family. Mattarella is said to have expressed closeness to Armanda Colusso, expressing the solidarity of the entire country.

Alberto Trentini, 46, had left for Venezuela in October 2024 to work with Humanity & Inclusion, an NGO that provides assistance to people with disabilities in around 60 countries. Then, in mid-November, the news reached his family overseas: Alberto had been arrested by the Venezuelan authorities, without knowing on what charges. From there the odyssey. The Venetian cooperator is still in the El Rodeo I penitentiary in Caracas, where he is being held without a clear formalisation of the charges against him but, as reported by the cooperator himself, he has been charged with conspiracy and terrorism.

Last 13 December, in a voice message sent to Tutta la città ne parla, on Rai Radio3, the mother had tried to turn a spotlight on her son's situation: 'Alberto has been in prison for 13 months now and we cannot give ourselves peace'. Then the appeal: 'I thank the programme,' she had said, 'and all those who are joining us in asking our government for incisive action to bring Alberto home, because every day more of detention is unbearable for us.