Italy – L’Espresso, Aug. 29, 2025
The mother of the Italian aid worker imprisoned in Venezuela for nine months: “We demand that our government turn its efforts into action to bring Alberto home: each additional day of detention causes unbearable suffering.”
Nine months after his arrest in Venezuela, the mother of the Italian aid worker — Armanda Colusso — makes yet another heartfelt appeal for her son’s return to Italy as soon as possible. Strong words, spoken this morning, August 28, at the Venice Lido, in the presence of the Venice Film Festival’s director, Alberto Barbera.
In recent days, it seemed that there might be a glimmer of hope for Alberto Trentini’s release, with the freeing of two other Italians from Maduro’s prisons. Yet, there is still no news of the Italian aid worker. Meanwhile, the government appointed a special envoy, Luigi Vignali. But his mission in the South American country has, so far, come to nothing.
“I ask myself: ‘What must this young man think of his country, which for months has abandoned him and has not done enough to free him?’” says Colusso, standing beside Beppe Giulietti of the association Articolo 21. “I want to cry out my despair, and I wish my cry could cross the ocean and reach Venezuela, to those who have kept him prisoner for nine months.”
