In a recent revelation, a broker identified as Luisito offered his client, known as Julio, a deal involving a shipment of 32 kilograms of cocaine concealed within two electrical generators destined for Libya. Luisito, claiming to have connections within the Venezuelan military, assured Julio that his cargo would be secure and smoothly transported onto a ship docked at a port in Venezuela.
The intricate scheme, captured in wiretap recordings from a comprehensive two-year Colombian federal police investigation, highlighted the operations of a transnational drug-smuggling syndicate originating from Colombia. This organization trafficked cocaine globally via air using human couriers and through sea transportation in shipping containers.
The investigation, spearheaded by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and concluded in 2016, exposed discussions between group members and Venezuelan military officials overseeing the Guarano International Port in Falcón state. Despite this evidence, the Venezuelan government denied any involvement in drug trafficking, and no high-ranking officials were directly implicated in the wiretaps.
The wiretap conversations indicated Luisito’s frequent mention of “the Suns” when referring to senior Venezuelan military figures and the color red in connection to the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). These references shed light on the alleged collaboration between military personnel and drug smugglers within the country.
A former Colombian anti-narcotics agent involved in the case revealed that the “Cartel of the Suns,” comprising influential military generals, exercised significant control over cocaine shipments from Venezuela. This revelation underscored the deep-rooted nexus between the Venezuelan regime and illicit drug trade activities.
The agent further hinted at the possibility of a criminal case against the captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, built on similar evidence. The couple faced charges in the U.S. Federal Court in New York City for conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism and cocaine importation, among other offenses.
The intercepted wiretaps unveiled Julio’s plan to smuggle the cocaine-laden generators to Libya via Brazil, emphasizing the use of fake Venezuelan IDs and a local company to facilitate the illicit transport. Luisito, leveraging his political ties within the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, assured Julio of a smooth passage through customs and military screenings at the port.
Despite the successful delivery of the shipment to Libya, the authorities eventually apprehended Luisito and Julio, leading to their conviction and imprisonment. The intricate web of drug trafficking and corruption depicted in these wiretap recordings shed light on the pervasive influence of criminal elements within the Venezuelan military and political landscape.