The Capriles surname isn’t just linked to politics; it also opens doors within the power structures of Venezuela, as Eduardo Capriles has shown. Cousin of former governor Henrique Capriles Radonski and half-brother of Armando “Coco” Capriles, Eduardo hasn’t held public office or campaigned but his name appears in scandalous parties, million-dollar contracts, and is even under the scrutiny of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Though he prefers to keep a low profile, facts and documents keep coming to light. From parties with drugs and weapons during the pandemic to his ties with a private jet linked to figures from the Chavista regime such as Nicolás Maduro and Alex Saab, Capriles’s record can no longer be ignored.
VIP Parties During Quarantine
In March 2020, while Venezuela faced its first days of lockdown, Eduardo Capriles attended private parties in Los Roques and a residence in Altamira that ended in police raids. Synthetic drugs, undocumented foreign models, firearms, and even two confirmed COVID-19 cases were present. One prominent name that surfaced in the investigation was Jorge Eduardo Echenagucia, owner of the venue and a regular associate of Capriles.
They shared more than just drinks: they co-purchased a black jet and a yacht used during these parties. When the scandal broke, Capriles sold his shares to distance himself, but his name was already on police records.
Eduardo Capriles and Jorge Eduardo Echenagucia
From Food Business to Institutional Looting
Eduardo Capriles has also been linked to operations with PDVSA, Bariven, the SUCRE system, and Cadivi, key structures behind the institutionalized corruption of recent years. Along with his partner Alfredo Lovera Reyes, he utilized opaque channels to import overvalued goods and divert funds, according to sources that connect him directly with operations in CVG and other public companies.
He even joined the Loss Protection and Control Unit (PCP) of PDVSA, something many still can’t understand, given his reputation as an operator with questionable methods.
The Jet That Put Him on the U.S. Radar
2025 marked a turning point. In July, a Falcon 200 EX with altered registration (T7-ESPRT) was seized in the Dominican Republic, linked to the transport of high-ranking Chavista officials. The aircraft has allegedly been used by Nicolás Maduro, Alex Saab, and the Rodríguez brothers. What connects Capriles to this? Documents name him as one of those involved in the acquisition of that jet via Six G Aviation.
Since then, the U.S. Department of Justice has been investigating him for money laundering and the use of assets for illicit purposes. Although official charges have not been made, alarms are sounding.
Eduardo Capriles is under the spotlight of the U.S. Department of Justice following the seizure in the Dominican Republic of the Falcon 200 EX with altered registration T7-ESPRT, which was used by Nicolás Maduro, Alex Saab, and the Rodríguez Brothers ✈️
Six G Aviation pic.twitter.com/hCS6BQKALP
— ABC Noticias (@abcesnoticias) July 7, 2025
Panama, Fake Documents, and Escape to Spain
Years ago, Capriles attempted to invest capital in Panama through a law firm specializing in funds and real estate. Everything seemed in order until the legal team discovered the submitted documents were falsified. Rather than face the issue, Capriles chose to flee. He is now reportedly hiding in a small town in northern Spain, keeping a low profile while the storm passes.
Private Life, Rumours, and Power Behind the Scenes
In his personal life, his decisions haven’t gone unnoticed. His relationship with presenter Patricia Zavala ended abruptly via text message, and since then, it’s been speculated he’s in a secret relationship with model Oriana Luchesse, even though she is publicly linked to Jorge Giménez Ochoa, president of the Venezuelan Football Federation.
According to testimonies from contractors and former employees, Capriles has a clear policy in business: “no commission, no deal.” Negotiations with him tend to be slow, manipulated, and come with under-the-table demands. Several suppliers agree: negotiating with Eduardo is “a trap wrapped in luxury.”
Will the “Golden Boy” Fall?
Nicknamed the Golden Boy for his life of excesses, parties, and connections with the elite, Eduardo Capriles embodies the image of the boliburguer disguised as a businessman. Well-connected, protected, and so far untouchable. But the Falcon scandal, alongside ongoing investigations, could signify the beginning of the end.
Capriles doesn’t need to be a public official to wield power. His influence lies in the shadows, in favors, and in hidden contracts. But impunity doesn’t always last forever. This time, the “Golden Boy” might be closer than ever to losing his shine.