It’s not every day that the WSJ highlights TQNLQNSPM* stock on its front page, but surprisingly, it did so yesterday. Jose De Córdoba and Juan Forero provided a deep dive into how several U.S. Federal Agencies, including the DEA, are closing in on Diosdado Cabello (seen here in a stylish red beret) for transforming the country into a narco-state. As someone well-versed in Venezuela’s corruption issues, I welcome the exposure from a major U.S. news outlet regarding what’s been common knowledge for quite some time now.
For those who may not have been paying attention, the article offers intriguing insights, especially claims from reliable sources about Cabello’s involvement in the Sun’s Cartel (Cartel de los Soles: named for its leadership consisting of Venezuela’s military elite, who display sun insignia on their epaulettes):
A key target, as stated by a Justice Department official and other U.S. authorities, is National Assembly President Diosdado Cabello, recognized as the country’s second most powerful individual. “There is extensive evidence to justify that he is one of the heads, if not the head, of the cartel,” noted the Justice official, referring to a collective of military officers and high-ranking officials believed to be engaged in drug trafficking. “He certainly is a main target.”
De Córdoba and Forero reference a “Justice Department Official” who described Venezuela as being governed by a “criminal organization.” We were already aware of that. However, some significant figures were overlooked. There was no mention of Ramon Rodríguez Chacín or Antonio José Morales Rodríguez (aka “el catre”), who, according to exiled Supreme Court Justice Eladio Aponte Aponte, ordered the release of Pedro Maggino (from 21:18 in the video).
«… a trusted reader informs us that Majed Khalil is
the bagman for General Francisco Rangel Gomez, former president of
aluminium and mining giant Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana (CVG),
current Governor of Bolivar state. Hence his dealings with CVG. Majed
Khalil is also a partner -and best man- of Lieutenant Antonio José
Morales Rodríguez (aka “el catre”), godson and aide-de-camp of Hugo
Chavez and one of his most trusted allies. Morales currently serves as the director of
the Office of the Secretary of Venezuela’s Presidency. Morales was
recently identified by former Supreme Court Judge Eladio Aponte
Aponte as one of the individuals who ordered the release of an army drug trafficker
(Pedro Maggino) caught with 2 tonnes of cocaine in Venezuelan territory.
Thus, it is not only Leamsy Salazar, Cabello’s former bodyguard who’s mentioned consistently, who’s observed the involvement in drug trafficking at the highest echelons; even Chavez’s own people are neck-deep in it, regardless of Oliver Stone’s eagerness to take a drug trafficker at face value.
U.S. authorities can certainly tap into a vast network of Bolivarian thugs that have turned the U.S. into their playground. I’m talking about Victor Vargas, Victor Gill, Roberto Rincón, José Zambrano, Rafael Sarria, Pedro Torres Ciliberto and his son Pedro Torres Picón, David Osío, Andrés Coles, Alejandro Andrade, Luis Oberto and his gang… It’s worth noting there’s no shortage of Venezuelans -whose ill-gotten wealth stems from transactions related to Cabello- that could expose the depths of his connections to criminal enterprises. However, those mentioned, and possibly others, might be among the 56 Bolichoros whose visas have been revoked by the U.S. government and are now singing in a desperate attempt to protect laundered funds.
Sources have informed me that numerous federal investigations are underway in New York, Florida, and Texas, where chavista “businessmen” tend to converge. Bolivarian “financiers” embraced money laundering with such enthusiasm that when public funds started to dwindle, they considered, “maybe we could offer our services to Diosdado’s other ventures…”
It does take time for Uncle Sam to initiate action, but once he does, there aren’t many places to hide. Meanwhile, Cabello must be feeling somewhat like Manuel “cara e’ piña” Noriega. The U.S. isn’t about to deploy Marines in Venezuela. These days they rely on Cuba’s G2, Dilma, Juan Manuel Santos, and Tom Shannon, among others, to carry out their objectives. The problem for Cabello, a true TQNLQNSPM if there ever was one, is that outside his circle of influence (the dysfunctional and drug-trafficking Venezuelan military), he has no allies. He detests the Cubans. He’s never taken the time to build international partnerships. He lacks charisma. He has no popular support. He’s quite likely the most disliked politician in Venezuela, and it’s improbable that FARC narcoterrorists will risk anything for him.
Time will reveal the outcome, of course. But before this saga concludes, some truly spectacular bursts of action are likely to unfold.
*Tipo Que No Lo Quiere Ni Su Puta Madre.