Who killed Chávez? The chosen poison’s details were reliable, as were the symptoms caused by an overdose, its availability on the market, its difficulty in detection, and the effectiveness of antidotes. The poisons of Agatha Christie. With each passing day, the intricacies surrounding both the agony and death of Chávez become more perplexing. It’s understandable that the controversial Venezuelan leader is believed to have been murdered “drop by drop.” The case grows more complicated with the presence of not only Cuban leaders but also Venezuelans who were close to his sickbed. The intentions behind presenting Chávez as alive and kicking when he was actually dying remain unclear, unless those behind this strategy were hoping for a miracle. This would explain the publication of the photo of Chávez lying down reading Granma, or the claims that he was reading and signing documents and even singing joropos. There’s a need to dig deep into the silence of certain officials who, after his death (even if they weren’t fond of him), ended up occupying other significant positions.
What do they know? Who killed Chávez? This question is gaining traction in public consciousness, which refuses to accept the explanations given so far. Notably, the contents of the autopsy remain unknown, preventing anyone from stating with exact science what the causes of his death were. The path of the former head of state has turned into a true riddle, one that no one in high places wants to discuss. The details surrounding his passing cannot be overlooked when investigating how potential “infiltrators” could approach the now deceased ex-president. For instance, names like Sean Penn and Naomi Campbell stand out in this lengthy narrative.
Sean Penn recently saw his name in the headlines following the capture of Chapo Guzmán. “Malicious” rumors suggest that the filmmaker turned in the Mexican drug lord. Meanwhile, Campbell, known for her volatile and temperamental character, is likened to Mike Tyson in the modeling world. Both were very close to Chávez before his “illness” became known. Apart from the numerous legal scandals she’s been involved in, Naomi Campbell is not known for any other political appearance besides her meeting with Chávez in 2007, except for when she testified in August 2011 at the International Criminal Court in The Hague against former Liberian president Charles Taylor for the illicit diamond trade during the Sierra Leone civil war. If Arthur Conan Doyle had met Naomi Campbell through Sherlock Holmes, he might have said of her: She is always the woman… in his eyes, she eclipses and dominates her entire gender. Not that he ever felt anything like love; he was the most perfect machine for observation and reasoning the world has ever known, but as a lover, he wouldn’t have known what to do.
Now, besides Sean Penn, what motivated Naomi Campbell to approach Chávez? This question is worth asking, for history often intertwines with figures like Margaretha Geertruida Zelle (Mata Hari), the famous dancer, actress, and spy, who was sentenced to death for espionage and executed by firing squad in 1917, during World War I. “I love soldiers. I have always loved them, and I prefer to be the mistress of a poor officer than of a rich banker,” she famously said during the trial that led to her execution. As for Chávez, his death is becoming a mystery with each passing year. Popular rumor suggests that the perfect crime is one that goes unsolved, but according to criminologists (remaining true to their bloodhound principles): The perfect crime does not exist; what exists are imperfect investigations. By the way, let’s not forget that the ex-president was a sponge for attracting infiltrators.
BREAKING NEWS. A criminal investigation may be underway against the so-called Ramírez clan, implicating Baldo Sansó and Diego Salazar. The latter has returned to Venezuela after a long stay in France. Salazar was involved or linked to the Andorra Bank case. He can often be seen at a restaurant in La Castellana known as La Escala.
URGENT. In Miraflores, the possible appointment of José Vielma Mora as the new head of Seniat is under consideration. The fate of José David Cabello, who has led the tax agency since February 2008, replacing Vielma Mora, remains unknown.
POLL. 90% of those surveyed do not believe the economy will recover under the Government’s proposed scheme. 95% are pessimistic and think things are going to get tougher in the coming days. 90% believe Venezuela is on the brink of social implosion. 65% do not think a resignation by Maduro would improve the country’s situation. Meanwhile, FANB sees the highest favorability ratings at 47%, followed by the National Assembly at 38%, and finally the Government at 15%.
DEBATE. Three economic proposals are on the Government’s agenda:
- The one presented by Luis Salas, which involves eliminating 97-octane gasoline and keeping only 91-octane, raising its price. The savings would be allocated to programs benefiting the most disadvantaged. The current economic policies would remain unchanged.
- Marco Torres’s proposal includes devaluing the currency from 6.30 to 60 bolívares, letting the Simadi dollar run free.
- This third proposal bears the stamp of Francisco Rodríguez, suggesting the elimination of the laws on Illicit Currency and Fair Prices, as well as lifting all controls for a complete economic liberalization.
GOLD. After receiving a suggestion from Jorge Giordani in August 2011, Chávez ordered the repatriation of 180 tons of gold that were held in European banks. Is it true or false that, over the next three years, from Maiquetía’s Air Customs, in 18 Air France flights, the BCV exported the same amount of gold to Swiss banks? Is it true or false that these operations were carried out under the utmost secrecy? We wonder: Are the gold reserves repatriated by Chávez still with the BCV? If the answer is yes, then it’s worth asking: What did Air France transport to Switzerland on those 18 flights?
OPERATION. 48% of the shares of El Nacional are up for sale. A government-affiliated businessman is one of the parties interested in acquiring them. Once the transaction occurs, the newspaper will have a new board of directors that will exclude (for the first time since its founding) a member of the Otero family.
CALIBERS. In light of the murder of drug trafficker Teófilo Rodríguez Cazorla, alias “El Conejo,” and the display of firearms in the San Antonio prison in Margarita to honor him, we ask why authorities have turned a blind eye to such a serious situation and who in the Government refuses disarmament in prisons. In San Antonio, a high level of firepower was displayed that would make any modern army envious.
SILENTLY. During the night, the absolution of a suspected fraudster was prepared, whose gang was dismantled. Among its members are Erwin Méndez Labarca (on the run) and Lisandro Marín (detained). The gang made off with a loot of more than 800 million bolívares, offering multimillion-dollar contracts related to the oil business. According to case file 17484-14 from the 52nd Control Court, both men face accusations of fraud and conspiracy. The case has been handled by several judges who have been recused. Once again, history seems to repeat itself, and probably (?), after a rushed and shadowy decision, Lisandro Marín will regain his freedom.
THEFT. A luxurious Hublot watch, entirely gold and inscribed with “President Chávez,” reportedly cost a fortune, sent to Chávez by a now-fugitive banker. At the time, it was among the most expensive on the market. The piece never reached its intended recipient, who was unaware of its existence. The person with this commission was very close to the then-superintendent of Banks, Edgard Hernández Berenhs.
KIDNAPPED. Scandal: The Auto Mundial group in Valencia (owned by the Blohm group from Caracas and the Martínez group from Valencia), led by Amado Martínez, seems to be suffering the impacts of corruption that benefits certain shareholders and executives. Reports of fraud are set to be revealed soon, as a legal confrontation approaches that could implicate the board and some major shareholders. As previously noted, in this case, which has been handled in the Circuit Judicial of Lara, significant irregularities occurred during the judicial process against Leonardo del Moral, as the president of the Auto Mundial group (Amado Martínez) and the Blohm group as a whole, despite the quantity and strength of the evidence, took a stance contrary to the truth, targeting Del Moral instead.
MOSCOVA. Who was the influential politician, a PSUV leader, that traveled briefly to Moscow this week, with the task of laying the groundwork to settle there in the city of Moskova?