Jesús Daniel Romero and William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú
The recent detentions of foreign citizens in Venezuela have raised considerable skepticism regarding the narrative presented by Nicolás Maduro's government. Among those detained are three Americans, two Spaniards, and a Czech, all accused of being involved in an alleged conspiracy to assassinate the president and destabilize his government. The Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, has claimed that these individuals, along with a group that includes already imprisoned persons, were implicated in the trafficking of weapons that allegedly arrived in the country through packages from Florida, USA, totaling 400 weapons including pistols, AK-42 rifles, AK-47, M-4, and Israeli Tavor. However, this argument raises serious doubts about the credibility of the accusations.
According to the information provided by Cabello, the most notable facts related to this case include:
The seized arms, which total over 400 rifles, entered Venezuela with the alleged backing of the governments of the United States and Spain. The stated objective was to assassinate President Nicolás Maduro and other government officials, as well as generate destabilization in the country.
According to the regime, several arrests have been made in connection with this operation:
1. Two Spanish citizens, José María Basóa Valdovinos and Andrés Martínez Adasme, in Puerto Ayacucho.
2. The detention of a Czech citizen named Jan Darmovzal, a member of a private paramilitary organization.
3. The arrest of an American citizen, Wilbert Joseph Castañeda, a former Navy SEAL involved in the operation.
4. The capture of two "hackers," American Aaron Barr Logan and his Venezuelan partner Astri Emprea Ortega.
5. The detention of another American citizen, David Estrella.
The main arrests occurred in various locations in Venezuela, such as Puerto Ayacucho and other areas of the country, where this network of arms trafficking and terrorist plans against the Venezuelan government was dismantled.
The weapons, according to the official version, were sent in packages, which is quite unconvincing and raises questions about the logistics and feasibility of such an operation. Furthermore, the connection with individuals already imprisoned in Venezuela adds another layer of confusion and distrust to the government's narrative. This strategy seems designed not only to divert attention from the internal problems facing the country but also to consolidate the regime's power at the expense of an already weakened opposition.
Among the key names mentioned in this alleged conspiracy are: Iván Simonovis, former commissioner of the Venezuelan national police accused of being a "nefarious character" in arms trafficking, linked to smuggling operations into Venezuela. Juan Guaidó, former president of Venezuela referenced as a protected figure in the US organizing activities against the government. María Corina Machado, former presidential candidate of Venezuela and opposition leader, identified as the leader of a political group behind the alleged attacks. Jorman Enrique Varillas, suspected of being involved in acts of violence and currently a fugitive. María Teresa Clavijo, connected to criminal groups and the attack plans in Venezuela. Jessica Isabel Aponte Figuera, detained for her active participation in violent acts, known as "La Niña." Wilbert Joseph Castañeda, an active member of the US Navy and trained as a SEAL, pointed out as the leader of the mercenary operation. Daisy Hyles González, Castañeda's contact for coordinating with criminal groups in Venezuela. Aaron Barr Logan and Astri Emprea Ortega, hackers detained for their involvement in the plans. David Estrella, American citizen detained for his implication in the plans. José Miguel Estrada, detained and convicted for his participation in an attack against Maduro.
Cabello has claimed that Simonovis's operations have led to actions in other countries, suggesting they have resulted in murders. However, no specific details about these alleged crimes have been provided, which questions the credibility of their accusations. This approach seems like an attempt to silence Simonovis, who has been investigating the regime's connections to drug trafficking and corruption.
It is relevant to note that Nicolás Maduro's regime will continue to imprison foreign citizens, as it knows they can be exchanged in negotiations to pressure the United States and the European community to grant concessions in exchange for the return of their citizens. However, upon deeper analysis, it is observed that the regime has never conducted criminal proceedings against citizens of allied countries or against regime members who already have accusations in other countries. It is convenient that all the detained are Americans, Spaniards, Czechs, and Venezuelans from the opposition or members of criminal groups already imprisoned in Venezuela for other offenses.
It is important to highlight that the judicial system in Venezuela has become a weapon of intimidation and repression. The accused, in many cases, do not receive the evidence that will be used against them, a process known as "discovery," which is fundamental to guarantee a fair trial. Moreover, defense attorneys often face serious difficulties in accessing their clients, which prevents them from preparing an adequate defense. This lack of transparency and limited access to information further exacerbates distrust in the judicial system, which is perceived as an instrument serving the regime to silence the opposition and maintain control.
It is convenient to note that these events occur at a time when several figures of the regime have been sanctioned and drug shipments belonging to the Cartel de los Soles have been confiscated. Also, airplanes involved in these illicit operations have been seized. The international community has repeatedly demanded that the election records be shown, a requirement that the regime has ignored. In turn, most countries have recognized Edmundo González Urrutia as the elected president, which adds an additional level of pressure on Maduro's government. The Spanish government has emphatically denied that any of the detained Spaniards belong to the National Intelligence Center (CNI), reinforcing the perception that these detentions are part of a political strategy.
The US State Department has denied any involvement in plots to destabilize Maduro's government and reiterated its support for a democratic solution in Venezuela. Despite this, the regime continues to use the US as an enemy, allowing it to justify its repressive measures and foster an atmosphere of fear.
It is crucial that the international community addresses these accusations with skepticism. The detention of foreign citizens has been previously used by the regime as tools to negotiate political concessions and divert attention from its internal problems. This pattern is consistent with Maduro's history of treating human lives as mere pieces in his political game.
In conclusion, according to the regime, this recent operation shows the interests of the opposition backed by foreign governments to carry out paramilitary operations by American Erick Prince to assassinate President Maduro and Vice President Cabello. Meanwhile, in the United States and Spain, the allegations against these individuals, including Iván Simonovis, must be seen as part of a broader strategy by Maduro's regime to maintain control rather than as isolated incidents. Venezuela's struggle for democracy is at a critical point, and the global community must act urgently, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the face of authoritarian tactics. As the US government maintains its offer of multimillion-dollar rewards for the capture of Maduro and Cabello, we will see more foreign and national "mercenaries" trying to claim these riches, further adding to the myth of the Venezuelan regime. The future of Venezuela will depend on the population's ability to resist oppression and the decisive support of the international community in its pursuit of genuine democracy.
Jesús Daniel Romero was officially enlisted through the Navy's Delayed Entry Program, graduated with honors from Norfolk State University, and received a degree in Political Science. Thanks to his good academic results, he was able to choose the path of intelligence. He studied aviation and then entered intelligence school. He was assigned to an A-6 Intruder squadron, a tactical bomber operating from an aircraft carrier USS America, on which he went to Bosnia, Iraq, and Sudan.
He then commanded an intelligence unit in Panama, working for the Defense Intelligence Agency, and supervised tactical team analysts in Central and South America, and Mexico. He worked in an intelligence center in Hawaii as the China watch officer, where he monitored the Asian country's military activities.
After retiring from the Navy, Romero worked as a defense contractor for the North American Division of British Aerospace Systems (BAE) in Washington, D.C., and also for Booz Allen Hamilton in Miami.
William L. Acosta is the founder and CEO of Equalizer Private Investigations & Security Services Inc., an authorized investigation agency in NYS and FL, with offices and affiliates worldwide.
Equalizer maintains offices and subsidiaries in the United States in New York, Florida, California, and Latin America since 1999. Equalizer's investigations have successfully closed cases ranging from Narcotics, Homicides, Missing Persons, and other crimes.
He has been involved in criminal defense cases for State and Federal Criminal Defense that range from Homicide, Narcotics, RICO, Money Laundering, Conspiracy, and other federal and state charges and has coordinated investigations in the USA and other countries around the world.
Mr. Acosta specializes in international and multijurisdictional investigations, and in recent years has conducted investigations in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, among other locations.
He has led or coordinated investigations related to international drug trafficking, money laundering, and homicides and has been an instructor and international speaker on various investigation topics.
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