Photo / Courtesy
On the morning of September 24, 2025, a Learjet 55, registration YV3440, crashed during takeoff maneuvers at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira state.
Initial reports indicate that a failure in one of the wheels, compounded by strong gusts of wind, led to the accident. Following the impact, witnesses reported a loud explosion. The National Institute of Civil Aeronautics (INAC) temporarily suspended air operations while rescue teams addressed the emergency.
This aircraft was making regular flights between Cuba, Venezuela, and Panama, raising suspicions about the type of operations it was involved in and the profile of the passengers it usually transported.
Despite the aircraft being severely damaged and several crew members sustaining injuries, Panamanian businessman Ramón Carretero Napolitano reportedly survived the crash, according to preliminary accounts.
Carretero and His Ties to Power
Carretero built his influence through close ties with the Venezuelan regime and the backing of the Cuban apparatus. With the mediation of Carlos Malpica Flores, he secured multimillion-dollar contracts through his company Lanvicorp, including the construction of the Hugo Chávez baseball stadium and the remodeling of hotels in Vargas. Additionally, he participated in the commercialization of PDVSA’s oil, solidifying his status as a privileged contractor.
Ramón Carretero and Carlos Malpica Flores: Operators of the Maduro’s kleptocracy
Unlike other businessmen such as Alex Saab or Álvaro Pulido, Carretero was known for maintaining a low public profile, although his business dealings made him a key player in the economic fabric of Chavism.
Scandals in Panama
In his home country, Panama, he was also implicated in corruption. During Ricardo Martinelli’s presidency, he was involved in fraudulent contracts through the National Aid Program (PAN). His company and partners received millions for distributing food bags and purchasing musical instruments, operations that led to legal proceedings, house arrest, and asset confiscation.
Ramón Carretero Napolitano
The cases he was involved in reflect a pattern of transnational corruption, with operations affecting both Panama and Venezuela.
Incomplete Projects and Million Dollar Losses
Journalistic investigations documented how several projects awarded to Carretero were left unfinished or resulted in significant losses for the Venezuelan state. His name became associated with schemes for diverting public funds and inflated contracts.
Under Investigation
The accident in Maiquetía, where Carretero managed to survive, occurs while his figure continues to be the subject of investigations and allegations. His survival opens a new chapter in the story of a businessman marked by corruption, power, and controversy.