U.S. authorities are investigating whether Venezuela financed Iran and its military structure with billions of dollars, a probe gaining prominence amid increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and following the seizure of a tanker allegedly linked to Iranian smuggling networks.
A Long-Standing Alliance
The investigation, based on documents obtained by the Spanish newspaper ABC and provided to U.S. prosecutors and the White House by investigators and a former high-ranking Venezuelan official, examines a long-range strategic alliance between Caracas and Tehran. This relationship, built over nearly two decades, spans financial, energy, mining, industrial, and military sectors.
The focus is on determining whether Venezuelan state resources were systematically used to help Iran evade international sanctions and sustain its economy and military capabilities. U.S. prosecutors are reportedly considering expanding charges against members of the “Cartel de los Soles,” a network the Trump administration designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in November.
Allegations Against High-Ranking Officials
Washington identifies Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and other high-ranking regime officials as being implicated in the alleged scheme. The “Cartel de los Soles” had previously been sanctioned by the Department of the Treasury. According to the reports, the Chavismo regime designed a complex financial and logistical architecture to facilitate the flow of funds to Iran, utilizing state-owned enterprises, shell banks, and non-operational industrial projects.
Financial Estimates
Estimates cited by ABC place resources directly linked to Iran, through energy and petrochemical initiatives, at $4.689 billion. An additional $3.132 billion is estimated to have been indirectly diverted from a Chinese-Venezuelan fund. The total volume of money potentially reaching the Iranian state ecosystem through Venezuela could amount to approximately $7.821 billion.
A former official described to ABC a financial triangulation mechanism involving China, Venezuela, and Iran, where funds from Iranian oil sales to China, blocked by U.S. sanctions, were allegedly channeled through Venezuela under the guise of loans.
Redirected Funds and Potential Military Implications
Investigators claim a significant portion of Venezuelan oil revenues, including funds from Chinese loans, was redirected through opaque mechanisms to Iranian state-owned companies and entities associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This flow of resources allegedly supported Iran’s nuclear program and financed its armed allies in the Middle East and Latin America. Funds may also have been used to finance political influence networks through indirect transfers and fictitious contracts.
The report also suggests potential Iranian involvement in the indirect control of uranium deposits in southern Venezuela, which analysts warn could allow Iran to circumvent restrictions on its nuclear program. Furthermore, Iran allegedly provided Venezuela with armed drone technology, anti-ship missiles, and industrial capabilities for explosives production, potentially strengthening Venezuela’s military capacity and allowing Tehran to project power in the Western Hemisphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “Cartel de los Soles”?
The “Cartel de los Soles” is a network that the U.S. government links to the highest levels of power in Venezuela and designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in November by the Trump administration.
What role did Hugo “el Pollo” Carvajal and Clíver Alcalá Cordones play?
Reports from around 2012 described Venezuela as an operational platform for Iran in Latin America, with explicit mentions of Hugo “el Pollo” Carvajal and Clíver Alcalá Cordones as figures within the Chavismo movement involved in these activities. Both were later extradited and have cooperated with U.S. authorities.
What is the potential impact of this investigation?
If the allegations are substantiated, the investigation could lead to expanded charges against individuals within the Venezuelan regime and further sanctions. It may also prompt a reassessment of the broader geopolitical implications of the Venezuela-Iran alliance.
Given the seriousness of the allegations, it is possible that further investigations will be launched, and diplomatic pressure may increase on both Venezuela and Iran. It remains to be seen whether this investigation will lead to concrete legal action or significant shifts in regional dynamics.
Keep reading