AT CLOSING. I have been informed that the Federal Executive Directorate [DEF] of the Un Nuevo Tiempo party has ordered a thorough audit of the resources intended for the logistics of Manuel Rosales’ reelection campaign. There are suspicions of misappropriation of funds originally meant to finance the campaign activities of allied parties. In fact, those who reported not receiving resources were the leaders of the organizations supporting MR. Knowing that in UNT not even a piece of paper gets thrown away without Rosales’s authorization, I am fully confident that this DEF decision has his approval. It is said that this issue involves, supposedly, Nora C, who would be at the center of the storm.
CONFIRMED! Thanks to a second source, I was able to reconfirm information from SEBIN regarding Major General Miguel Rodríguez Torres’s trips to the Dominican Republic to meet with emissaries from high-ranking officers of the National Armed Forces. How many trips has he made? My sources in SEBIN estimate five visits that MRT has made to this country. Who has he met with? Initially, it was presumed he would meet with the frontmen of high-ranking military officers, but in reality, discussions have been with active officers close to these generals who, due to their low profile, have not generated any noise regarding their exits from Venezuela. Have emissaries from the democratic forces led by María Corina participated? I am assured that yes. These trips have raised eyebrows because MRT, after being released and settling in Spain, remained almost isolated without communication with his closest team. What’s he doing? Apparently, he is discussing with these high-ranking officers through his emissaries about a plan for political transition in Venezuela. Is this a personal initiative from Rodríguez Torres? At first, it seemed so, but with the new data received, I conclude that he is a piece within a larger plan. Is it related to the real opposition and the USA? It seems that way. In fact, while conversing with the source, I recalled that in the column from 07/03/2025, I mentioned that the United States would manage the extradition of MRT and Luisa Ortega Díaz, aiming to obtain the other missing pieces in the puzzle against Chavismo, which was nearly complete with revelations from also Major General Hugo “el Pollo” Carvajal. If the USA intended to gather information from Rodríguez Torres, it would not be surprising that an agreement was reached with him, hence his active participation in the operation to liberate Venezuela. What role could MRT have in this equation? It has been mentioned that the plans apparently included needing 1 or 2 military figures to act as bridges with the current officialdom, to lay the groundwork for a peaceful, orderly, and effective transition. I have been informed that the USA seeks to have at least one authoritative figure among the military within the transition team to mitigate instability that would arise after a change in the country. In this context, MRT could be that figure. But is he retired? Yes, he is no longer an active officer and lacks commanding capacity, but in the military world, respect holds much value and he seemingly has that. Is it confirmed that MRT acts in coordination with the Americans? No, but the fact that he travels freely is significant and indicates he is not afraid of being arrested by the United States upon arrival in the Dominican Republic, which clearly leads to the conclusion that he reached some sort of agreement with this country. Who helped him reach an agreement with the White House? I have been informed by SEBIN that I will soon receive that detail.
SILENCE. As of the publishing date of this column, 16 days have passed since the Learjet 5 accident, registration YV-3440, near Maiquetía airport, and there is absolutely no information regarding the incident. There is no official version. The names of the two passengers aboard the aircraft remain unknown publicly. Unofficial sources confirm that the travelers were Panamanian businessman Ramón Carretero Napolitano and his girlfriend. I have not received further updates on their health, but speculation about what truly happened is beginning to surface. In fact, a figure close to Donald Trump’s administration, Marshall S. Billingslea, published a poll on his X account on Monday 06/10, asking who was behind the “accident” [he himself put the word in quotes] of the airplane, with options for response being: Diosdado Cabello, Delcy Rodríguez, and a mechanical failure. Beyond being sensational, this post could be a consequence of US agencies involved in the Venezuela situation considering the accident to have been intentional and not coincidental. At this point, it’s worth mentioning that some within Chavismo were pushing the theory that Carretero Napolitano was acting as a “double agent,” conducting business with them while also providing information to the USA. Upon closing, I consulted an intelligence source regarding what happened with that airplane, and they simply stated, “They brought it down.” When I inquired who had “brought it down,” the conversation was abruptly changed, and it was impossible to return to the controversial matter. I don’t know why, but a common phrase in police jargon came to mind for the second time regarding this issue: “Connecting loose ends.” At the same time, another similar play on words came to mind: “Settling scores.”
“LUXURY HIDING SPOTS”… I’ve received intel about the “luxury hiding spots” allegedly being used by some high-ranking officials of the FAN on Margarita Island. The first thing I was provided were some coordinates and they left it to me to investigate that location. Thanks to Google Maps, I was able to identify that these coordinates belong to a residential area called Puerto Real in the upper area of Playa El Agua. Once I did the homework, the intelligence source began explaining and asked me not to cite their words verbatim. The Puerto Real site is a luxurious condominium with enormous houses, many of them featuring pools, located in that area of Margarita Island. Apparently, it is being used as “luxury hiding spots” or safehouses in case of some unexpected event, although they are of course also used as meeting, celebration, and planning spots. So far, only military personnel can be seen entering and exiting in enormous SUVs. Supposedly, most of the homes were acquired through underhanded means, and those owners who refused to sell were simply forcibly evicted. Anyone trying to reach the Puerto Real residential area will encounter a checkpoint manned by heavily armed and masked officials, seemingly from DGCIM, who prevent entry for anyone without permission. The checkpoint is slightly ahead of the Portofino Hotel, which serves as the limit for civilians. The exclusive area has private docks and even a helipad. The military not only occupied this condominium but also appropriated a small archipelago called “Los Frailes” that overlooks the beach and was once used by fishermen, who were also evicted. For several days now, any unauthorized boat departure has been prohibited in the area. All indications, based on the intel information, suggest that the section is being utilized as a hiding spot or a type of “luxury hiding place.”
CONFLICT. Analyzing the recent decisions and actions taken by Donald Trump’s administration in its strategy of “maximum pressure” against the regime; it is possible to understand that phase #2 is set to begin very soon. A decisive step in this regard was declaring before the United States Congress that the country is in an “armed conflict” against drug cartels, and that those comprising these criminal organizations will be considered “illegal combatants.” Both classifications deserve a great deal of attention, as they are crucial to legitimizing future actions by this country against the heads of the cartel that controls Venezuela. It’s good to remember that, for instance, the term “illegal combatants” became popular in the war against terrorism to designate certain individuals involved in actions threatening US security as legitimate targets, thus legalizing their neutralization. I have no doubt that the White House has been systematically covering the legal requirements and also preparing for a strike that could be definitive. Shall we review their decisions and actions? Before delving into these details, it’s worth noting that up until mid-year, there was uncertainty and even disappointment, as it seemed that Donald Trump’s administration had no legitimate interest in resolving the Venezuela issue. Everything began to shift when the cooperation agreement between Major General Hugo “el Pollo” Carvajal and the justice administration became public. This opened many eyes and sparked concern among chavista leaders, who continued to believe they could deceive the US government with their tricks. As explained in this column, the contributions from “el Pollo” were the pieces that allowed the US to finalize assembling the puzzle of the illegal activities of the regime’s leaders [read the column from 07/14/2025 here]. From there, events began to unfold, which we actually detailed in a timeline regarding the actions the USA had taken up until that point, published in the column from 08/14/2025 [read here]. Let’s review the events that unfolded after the “el Pollo” premiere. First, they declared the Cartel de Los Soles a “terrorist organization,” allowing them to change the narrative and clarify that it was not a government-to-government relationship, but a relationship between a government and a criminal organization that threatens US security, as explained in the column from 07/31/2025 [read here]. This was a key step, as it implies accusations against the regime not only for drug trafficking but for financing terrorism. Two extremely serious global offenses. Then they raised the reward for Maduro to $50 million, which they didn’t even do for Osama Bin Laden. Subsequently, they dispatched an amphibious group to encircle Venezuela and choke not only the drug trade but also the covert oil marketing evading international sanctions. That attack group has been gradually reinforced, evolving from its initial configuration to a more robust task force that even includes a floating base to deploy special forces, such as the ship MV Ocean Trader, which might look like any merchant ship but is, in reality, a fortress allowing the US to rapidly deploy its special forces [Navy Seals, Green Berets, and even CIA operatives] in targeted operations of search, capture, or neutralization of objectives [remember the term “illegal combatants”]. Once the amphibious group is in position, they demonstrate force by attacking several boats transporting drugs. In addition, they send F-35 aircraft to Puerto Rico. And now they declare an armed conflict, while simultaneously the Department of Justice issues an opinion authorizing lethal attacks on a secret list of cartels. But if another analytical element is still needed, Donald Trump orders his special envoy for Venezuela, Richard Grenell, to suspend all diplomatic contacts with Caracas, marking the end of all direct communication with the regime. Do all these steps indicate an escalation of the conflict? Everything suggests so, and this relates to what is being called “phase #2.” Considering this reconstruction of decisions, actions, and facts, it is possible to conclude that Trump’s administration has been planning its actions to progressively shield itself against upcoming events. While writing this analysis, I was reminded again of the film: “It Hit Suddenly.”
JUSTICE. It sometimes takes a while, even too long, but it always arrives, and in many cases, it favors those who have been victims of illegal actions. After several months of absolute silence regarding the bankruptcy of the Orinoco Bank in Curaçao, at last, the news that affected parties and those of us following the issue have been waiting for has emerged. Among these updates is the announcement of a definitive ruling declaring the BdO bankrupt, following the rejection of the composition plan presented by the company Cartera de Inversiones Venezolanas, CA as the bank’s main shareholder. Although this ruling was anticipated, it came alongside the officialization of a criminal complaint lodged by the bankruptcy trustee with the Public Ministry in Curaçao. Who is pointed out in this criminal complaint? Among others, Víctor Vargas Irausquín, Joel Santos Tobio, Santos Alonso Ramos, and Luis Alfonso de Borbón, identified as the main culprits of the “fraudulent bankruptcy,” which could likely lead to piercing the corporate veil, compelling the shareholders and directors of the mentioned bank to be accountable with their assets for the return of depositors’ money. In an email sent by the bankruptcy trustee to the legal representatives of the defrauded individuals, it is even mentioned that the cited individuals, I repeat, among others, face allegations of “misappropriation of assets amounting to approximately USD$1.5 billion.” What does this mean in simple terms? It implies they are being accused of having “stolen” the depositors’ money, which is why the BdO lacks funds to reimburse the affected parties. Among the measures being proposed by the authorities in Curaçao is the recovery of the bank’s assets that passed into the hands of Cartera de Inversiones Venezolanas CA, with Víctor Vargas Irausquín being the ultimate beneficiary. Additionally, alongside the criminal complaint for “fraudulent bankruptcy,” VVI and Cartera de Inversiones Venezolanas CA are accused of forgery since they had the audacity to present false documentation before the bankruptcy court regarding supposed assets held by Farringdon Asset Management, which this same company later clarified as having no assets under custody, as I explained in my column from 10/31/2024. This has been a very long struggle for all those swindled by this individual, and it seems the hour of justice is about to arrive not just for Víctor Vargas Irausquín, but also for the rest of those who stole depositors’ money.
UNT. The crisis within Un Nuevo Tiempo, although it had ceased to be a major topic in public opinion in Zulia, continues unabated and resignations are still coming. In fact, on Monday, 06/10/2025, municipal councilor Luis Ángel Weffer Chirinos from the Simón Bolívar municipality in the state of Zulia officially resigned from this organization, with a communication that presents several interesting arguments such as, for example, “the party has ceased to represent its membership, its bases, and, most importantly, the Zulia people. Political and social struggles have faded in favor of interests that seem to prioritize staying in power over defending the rights and quality of life of our people.” Furthermore, he indicates that “there is no accountability, the cries from the bases concerning the needs of the people are unheard, and a dangerous culture of secrecy has become entrenched, eroding trust and nullifying the oversight role that an opposition party ought to exercise.” A third argument that caught my attention is that the complainant states that “the spirit of solidarity, social democracy, and popular commitment that initially raised the flag of UNT has been sacrificed at the altar of political convenience.” In a related development, on Wednesday 08/10/2025, Jesús Enrique Sarcos Terán, the deputy head of Manuel Rosales’s tours, also resigned, citing arguments that the party had strayed from democratic struggle, and making serious allegations of corruption as he spoke of [verbatim]: “The mismanagement of resources in recent months. I am referring specifically to the funds from strengthening programs meant to be distributed among the party’s bases. It has been demonstrated that these funds have only benefited a select group of Board Members, some even having up to three accounts each to receive benefits not due to them. This diversion of funds has generated discontent and deep anger among hundreds of leaders across all municipalities who are well aware of this unacceptable situation.” This confirms the allegations that I have made regarding irregularities in the management of contributions via AirTM. These resignations are merely a small indication of the chaos reigning in UNT, and they suggest a mass exodus of councilors from the COL slated for this Friday, 10/10. While Manuel Rosales moves between Panama and the United States, Nora Cecilia continues to dismantle this organization, with her new target being former San Francisco mayor Gustavo Fernández, whom she views as an obstacle to her political ambitions. In this context, it is important to remember that she led the conspiracy against Gustavo in the municipal elections, as I mentioned in the column from 08/14/2025. This woman is determined to prevent GF from assuming leadership for the reconstruction of UNT. She wants to be the “queen” of an empty bottle.
IMAGE WASH. The company Fospuca and its president, José Simón Elarba Haddad, have entered a new stage to wash their image. Over a year ago, they hired a firm to clean this individual’s digital footprint, through requests to media outlets to remove publications that, according to Elarba Haddad, tarnish his image as a “serious and responsible businessman.” What has happened now? Suddenly, I found on the webpage of Diario La Verdad del Zulia a press note titled: “Fospuca is changing the rules of the game: José Simón Elarba Haddad promotes a new operational model.” This isn’t just any note. If you take the time to review it, you’ll realize it’s a piece that overflows with praise toward the company and its president, making such grandiloquent claims that almost brought tears to my eyes. This is a paid publication aimed at washing the image of the company and the facade owner, as it should be noted that the major stakeholder of this company is the Maduro-Flores couple through Carlos Erick Malpica Flores. Why are they doing this? It aims to improve the image of this company and especially of Elarba Haddad, which is why the public relations campaign is, coincidentally, currently focused only on Maracaibo due to all the noise regarding Fospuca after taking over garbage collection in the Zulia capital, as part of the huge scam orchestrated by Gian Carlo Di Martino.
SAN FRANCISCO. The administration of the “elected” mayor of the San Francisco municipality, Héctor Soto, is facing serious troubles. Why do I call him “elected” when he has already been sworn in? Because remember that the true functioning mayor is the owner of Farma Venezuela, Ziad Abd-El Kader, who makes all the important decisions while Soto barely nods. I have several issues to address, starting from the most severe to the less troubling. It turns out that the Division of Criminal Investigations [DIP] of the Bolivarian National Police [PNB] has launched an investigation into the disaster in the San Francisco Mayor’s administration, prompted by a report they received. There are payments totaling over USD$350,000 that cannot be justified, and as a result, several individuals are implicated in this embezzlement that could lead to their imprisonment. On another note, this same agency is investigating the current payroll chief due to his recent purchase of an expensive apartment in Maracaibo, along with three newly acquired Toyota vehicles: a 2012 Corolla, a 2020 4Runner TRD, and another blue Corolla from 2024. This person seems to be in hot water. Additionally, there are evident serious issues with garbage collection, as the company holding the concession is only dispatching 6 trucks of the 20 that normally should be operational. What’s happening? They aren’t paying off all the pending debts, as the brilliant elected mayor generated chaos in tax collections and in the payment for urban cleaning services. And to top it off, since this mayor only knows how to make mistakes, he decided to build housing for those affected by the explosion at Gallo Verde’s storage, on the contested La Portuaria lot which still lies in litigation at the Supreme Court. This guy only seems to excel at pocketing government money, and of course, approving everything that Ziad Abd-El Kader decides, who they still refer to as “the leader.”
SURPRISE. As I mentioned last week, there’s a surprise because Governor Luis Caldera is gaining the political upper hand over Gian Carlo Di Martino. Few expected the former Mara mayor to have this political acumen to take the lead in the clash against the mayor of Maracaibo. Not only did he appoint a trusted municipal comptroller, but Luis Caldera has also influenced a veto against several names put forward by the Italian for his cabinet. One of the objectives is to dismantle Di Martino’s gang while sabotaging municipal management to prevent it from fully taking off. New episodes in the war between Caldera and Gian Carlo are on the horizon. In fact, from the regional government’s standpoint, an Italian counteroffensive is anticipated, for which they claim to be prepared. So far, Caldera has taken advantage of the apparent intention of PSUV in Caracas to control Di Martino’s businesses to prevent him from going too far.
REJECTION. The regime of Nicolás Maduro is starting to face rejection from those being considered for high public office, yet hesitate to accept an invitation to a party while the Alma Llanera plays. I’ve been told that Major General Gustavo González López was initially unwilling to accept the presidency of Petróleos de Venezuela, as announced by Maduro. Close sources to the official report that he even communicated his rejection to Nicolás; however, it seems he ultimately accepted the appointment due to the pressure he received. It’s essential to note that this high official was already working at PDVSA, having been appointed as the Superintendent of Strategic Affairs and Production Control last year. There are hardly any volunteers left who want to board a sinking ship.
CHECKPOINT. A friend asked me to publicly denounce a police checkpoint that sets up almost daily in the Las Playitas area, very close to the Maracaibo Metro station. This checkpoint is a business for the involved officers, who threaten drivers with impounding their vehicles for minor offenses unless they come down from the high horse. The outrageous part is that they not only ask for dollars, since they don’t like bolívares, but those who lack cash are forced to part with fuel. In other words, no one comes out unscathed from the extortion of these officials.
Darwin Chávez|@Darwinch857|[email protected]