Alberto Sobalvarro Durán, the mayor of Almirante Padilla, a small municipality in northern Venezuela, is amassing power, not just in politics. An economist by profession and a member of the ruling Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV), Sobalvarro has been the mayor of Almirante Padilla since November 2021.
While Almirante Padilla is a small, isolated, and underdeveloped region, Sobalvarro has successfully created a thriving business empire. A recent expose by ABC Color, a Paraguayan newspaper, revealed that Sobalvarro is the owner of Du Mont Trade, a holding company that imports cigarettes to Venezuela and other Caribbean countries. The company is affiliated with Tabacalera del Este S.A. (Tabesa), a company that has faced sanctions from the United States and is often linked to cigarette smuggling in Latin America.
Sobalvarro’s companies are registered in Panama, and he is a key businessman in the region, with connections to other corporations and individuals. His business partners include Zulay del Carmen Barbosa Urdaneta, his ex-wife, and Rodrigo Vargas Núñez, a key figure in his administration.
In addition to his business ventures, Sobalvarro has also built a strong political machine. He cultivates a polished image, often dressing in elegant attire and using revolutionary jargon in his public appearances. His wife, María Luisa Barrios, accompanies him on official visits, and he has used social media to promote his political ideology.
However, Sobalvarro’s success is not limited to his business and political endeavors. He has also built a strong network of allies and subordinates, including Vargas Núñez, who has been designated as the president of the Corporación de Exportación, Importación, Comercialización y Servicio Nigale, C.A. (Corponigale C.A.), a company responsible for buying and selling goods in the region.
Sobalvarro’s rise to power has been built on a foundation of strategic alliances and business deals. His companies are registered in different countries in the Caribbean, including Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada. These companies are involved in the trade of various cigarette brands, including Meridian, GIF, Record, Astor, Belmont, Eight, Voox, G, Kentucky, Cónsul, Mr. B, Miller, Mr. B, Recife, and Belfort, including brands from Tabesa.
In 2018, Sobalvarro ceded power to his son, Alberto de Jesús Sobalvarro Núñez, to act on his behalf. This marked the beginning of a new era for Sobalvarro’s business empire.
The same year, the cigarette market in Venezuela underwent a significant change, with the rise of a new company, Mundo Factory, which threatened the traditional dominance of Cigarrera Bigott, a subsidiary of British American Tobacco. A 2024 report by Armando.info revealed that Mundo Factory is linked to family members of Venezuela’s first lady, Cilia Flores, and distributes products from Tabesa and other suppliers.
Sobalvarro’s grip on power in Almirante Padilla is absolute. His administration is characterized by a lack of opposition, with any dissenting voices being silenced by a strong control over the population. “No one has a voice or vote. They only see hunger. I dare say there is no type of opposition. You can’t speak about the deficiencies for fear of being watched,” said one of the sources.
The region is under tight surveillance, with motorized patrols and civilian and government officials communicating through radio. It is a territory occupied by the PSUV, and Sobalvarro is the de facto ruler.
While some claim that Sobalvarro’s ambitions extend to the governorship of Zulia, a source close to the PSUV said, “He has no chance of advancing. He is stuck due to his involvement in illegal activities.” This would explain his focus on building a strong business empire and controlling the territory, rather than seeking higher office.
Read the full story at Armando.info.