Using maps, distances, and border protocols, @latablablog dismantles the account of the journey and capture of the French-American citizen released two weeks ago in Colombia.
Geographical and narrative analysis: Inconsistencies in the case of Lucas Hunter’s arrest at the Colombian-Venezuelan border. Editorial: La Tabla/Data Journalism Platform 1AUG 2025
🔍 A story under scrutiny
The January 2025 arrest of Lucas Hunter, a 37-year-old French-American citizen, near the Colombia-Venezuela border spurred a global media campaign for his release. His family and platforms like FreeLucas.com argued that he was illegally captured by Venezuelan soldiers in Colombian territory while practicing kitesurfing. However, an analysis of distances, border dynamics, and operational details reveals inconsistencies in this narrative.
Map of Locations in La Guajira
Below illustrates the layout of key points in the La Guajira region with approximate distances.
Uribia
Cabo de la Vela
ParaguachĂłn
63.5 km
53 km
116.5 km
Key Distances
**Uribia to Cabo de la Vela:** 63.5 km
**Uribia to ParaguachĂłn:** 53 km
**Cabo de la Vela to ParaguachĂłn:** 116.5 km
The distances are approximate and based on the road route.
🗺️ 1. Geographical inconsistencies and travel purpose
a) Contradictory routes and distances
– Key locations:
– Uribia: Hunter’s starting point according to his family.
– Cabo de la Vela: Tourist destination for kitesurfing, 63.5 km from Uribia.
– Paraguachón: Binational border checkpoint (Colombia/Venezuela), 53 km from Uribia in the opposite direction of Cabo de la Vela.
– Logistical incoherence:
– The distance from Cabo de la Vela to ParaguachĂłn is 116.5 km, making an “accidental” detour impossible during a motorcycle ride from Uribia. If Hunter was traveling exclusively for kitesurfing, there is no logical route that justifies his presence near the border.
b) Absence of sports equipment
– Kitesurfing requires bulky equipment (boards, kites, harnesses). However, no official report or family testimony mentions that Hunter was carrying these items when arrested. This weakens the narrative that his trip had a sports purpose.
⚠️ 2. Implausibility of cross-border capture
a) Binational dynamics in ParaguachĂłn
– The migration posts of Colombia and Venezuela in Paraguachón are adjacent and share a single crossing point, separated by meters without significant physical barriers.
– The family claims two Venezuelan military vehicles crossed into Colombia to capture Hunter. However:
– The proximity of Colombian authorities (Migración Colombia) would make this operation visible and immediately contested.
– There are no records of diplomatic incidents or formal complaints from Colombia for territorial violations that day.
b) Signage and border context
– Photos of the site show precarious demarcation:
– No visible flags or military uniforms on the Colombian side.
– The only relevant sign is «Migración Colombia» and «Happy travels, return soon», with no explicit mention of Venezuela.
– This explains how Hunter could approach without identifying the border, but does not validate the military incursion described.
⏱️ 3. Timeline and subsequent actions: Gaps in the account
a) Final communications and silence
– Hunter sent two voice messages to his sister Sophie:
– January 7: He reported his detention by Venezuelan military after “getting lost” near the border post.
– January 8: He mentioned that Venezuelan authorities documented his “lack of intention” to enter Venezuela, but would retain his motorcycle.
– After that: Total silence. Neither his family nor governments received official information about his whereabouts until his release in July.
b) Institutional response and contradictions
– The IACHR granted precautionary measures in March 2025, stating that Venezuela hid his location and denied access to lawyers, translators, or consulates.
– Venezuela never formally charged Hunter, despite initially alleging “serious crimes against the State.”
đź“Š Summary table: Key points of inconsistency
| Narrative element | Verified data | Inconsistency |
|——————————|——————————————————-|—————————————————–|
| Purpose of the trip | Kitesurfing in Cabo de la Vela | No sports equipment reported at arrest |
| Capture location | Colombian territory (according to family) | Binational post without clear physical barrier |
| Military operation | 2 Venezuelan vehicles crossed into Colombia | No reports of Colombian response or conflict |
| Route Uribia-ParaguachĂłn | “Accidental ride” on motorcycle | 53 km in the opposite direction of kitesurf zone |
🔥 Definitive conclusion: Irreconcilable inconsistencies in the narrative.
The inconsistencies in the narrative of Lucas Hunter’s capture are objective, measurable, and contradictory to the geographical and operational reality of the Colombian-Venezuelan border:
Three irrefutable contradictions
1. Impossible route
– The distance from Uribia to ParaguachĂłn (53 km) is incompatible with a trip to Cabo de la Vela (63.5 km in the opposite direction). An “accidental detour” involving 116.5 km between beaches and border lacks all geographic logic.
2. Unverified military incursion
– The entry of Venezuelan military vehicles into Colombian territory in Paraguachón (binational post without barriers) did not register a response from Migración Colombia, diplomatic protests, or intelligence reports, despite the immediate presence of Colombian authorities.
3. Nonexistent sports equipment
– No official or family testimony mentioned boards, kites, or harnesses during his arrest, equipment essential for kitesurfing and usually owned and tailored for the “passionate” practitioner. This invalidates the central purpose of the trip.
🎯 Final verdict
The media campaign for Hunter’s release does not withstand factual analysis: the contradictions in distances, border dynamics, and sports logistics are undeniable and irreconcilable with his account. This conclusion, however, does not diminish the seriousness of the procedural violations committed by Venezuela: his allegedly arbitrary arrest (based on geopolitical conflict) and the secrecy maintained until his release in July 2025 could be presented as alleged violations of fundamental rights.
Critical synthesis: The noted violations of due process and the release without explanations may have generated distrust, but do not resolve the geographical and operational contradictions in Lucas Hunter’s family narrative, which remain open questions.
Who is he and what did he come to Venezuela for?
Methodological note: This consistency analysis was conducted using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques, Data mining, and AI tools for the search, extraction, and processing of information.