Hate crime in Bali: Rodrigo Ventosilla's family files a complaint against authorities for torture.
Peruvian trans activist and economist Rodrigo Ventosilla died in Bali under unknown circumstances after police tortured him and his husband Sebastián Marallano.
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The family of Peruvian economist and trans activist Rodrigo Ventosilla, who died in Bali on August 11 , has filed a complaint against the authorities for the crime of torture.
"We, as defense counsel for Rodrigo Ventosilla and Sebastián Marallano, have filed a complaint for the crime of torture. The complaint is against all Indonesian and Peruvian officials who may have participated in the attacks on their physical integrity and human rights," said Julio Arbizú, the families' lawyer, at a press conference.
The lawyer refers to the events of the week of August 6-11 when a transgender male couple's honeymoon trip turned into a nightmare .
"In the complaint we have filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Peruvian consul in Bali, Julio Tenorio, is charged with the crime of commission by omission. It must be understood that the Peruvian State, through its Foreign Ministry, has an obligation. Protecting the physical integrity and lives of our compatriots is fundamental. Anyone who shirks that obligation is committing a crime, as in this case," the lawyer added.
The family is still awaiting Rodrigo's body for forensic examination by the Peruvian Institute of Forensic Medicine. They are seeking to determine the cause of his death in a hospital, as this remains unclear.
Chronology of violence
After arriving in the Asian country on August 6, Rodrigo Ventosilla was detained by police at Denpasar Airport. They accused him of drug trafficking for possessing medications linked to his mental health treatment. He had a prescription for the same medication. Sebastián Marallano, her new husband, arrived on a separate flight and was also detained when he tried to help his partner.
Their families claim that the Indonesian police first demanded $13,000, and then $100,000, to release them.
On August 7, the family contacted the Peruvian consul, Julio Tenorio, and informed him of the situation the couple was facing. However, according to their report, the official was unconcerned about the case and did not appear.
The Peruvian trans community asked for support to raise funds to bring Sebastián back and repatriate Rodrigo's body. Rodrigo was one of the founders of the organization Diversidades Trans Masculinas (DTM) . Messages of help spread through social media, amid confusion and limited information about the case. Meanwhile, activists, along with Sebastián's sister, began arrangements for her to travel to Indonesia.
Rodrigo's family also traveled to Indonesia to clarify the events that took their relative's life and begin the process of repatriating his body. This situation was complicated by the inefficient work of Peruvian authorities in that country.
The role of the Peruvian Foreign Ministry
Ignoring phone calls and communications through his personal WhatsApp, Julio Tenorio decided to go to the place just one day after Rodrigo Ventosilla's death.
"It must be emphasized that Mr. Julio Tenorio, knowing his duties to his fellow citizens, waited until August 12 to assist Rodrigo and Sebastián," said Luzmo Enriquez, official spokesperson for the family support team.
On August 24, the Peruvian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the case through its official Twitter account, downplaying the Peruvian citizens' complaints. They made no mention of the allegations and implied that they side with the Indonesian government.
Following the statement, the family rejected the Foreign Ministry's denial of transphobia. They believe it revictimizes and invalidates Sebastian's testimony, and they find it biased, insufficient, and lacking in empathy.
Two days later, on August 26, due to the criticism received, the Foreign Ministry issued a new statement changing the tone of its position.
Sebas and Rodrigo
Sebas and Rodrigo's love story was sealed in marriage on May 31st in Chile. They went there because same-sex couples are not allowed to marry in Peru.
“It's crazy how social rituals operate. Beyond the criticism of marriage's function as a patriarchal figure and enforcer of obligatory heteronormativity, and all that 'woke' stuff, for trans people like me or my sweetheart, it's a representation of our commitment to ourselves. It's a pact of surrender and the opportunity to share this love with our loved ones and the world. Marrying this little baby, fiu fiu, putting a ring on it that tells us we have each other feels like a burst of security and worthiness that we don't always realize. It's very beautiful,” Sebastián said on his wedding day.
Rodrigo's human qualities—humorous and affectionate, but also resilient and combative—have led transgender groups to take to the streets to demand justice. In addition to being a recognized activist, Rodrigo was an economist and pursuing graduate studies at Harvard University .
Demands for justice
On August 26, a protest was held in front of the Foreign Ministry building in downtown Lima, and on Sunday, August 28, a vigil was held in front of the Indonesian Embassy in the San Isidro district.
Continuing with the protests surrounding the case, transgender advocates, friends, and family members are calling for a new protest in Rodrigo's name, demanding that upon the arrival of his body, an autopsy be performed as quickly as possible.
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