Venezuelan Minister Allegedly Hinders Earthquake Rescue Operations
On Wednesday, Venezuelan journalist Carlos Salazar revealed that sources indicate Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, sought by the U.S. for narco-terrorism, is obstructing search and rescue teams from accessing a building destroyed in last week’s earthquake to safeguard hidden drug caches and cash.
Salazar mentioned during an interview with a Latin American news outlet that a group of exiled Venezuelan journalists estimates Cabello may have hidden up to $250 million across 120 to 250 apartment buildings, many of which were damaged in the quake.
“Currently, there’s a panic because, in some parts of Vargas and La Guaira, the focus isn’t on rescuing survivors, but rather on preventing the discovery of cash believed to belong to Cabello,” he stated. The La Guaira region, previously known as Vargas province, was severely affected by the earthquake, marking it as the epicenter of the disaster. This state, located near Caracas, also faced significant destruction.
Two major earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, one registering a magnitude of 7.5 and the other 7.2. Over the past two decades, hundreds of buildings are thought to have collapsed due to ineffective construction practices under the current socialist regime. NASA estimated that up to 60,000 buildings were affected by the recent quake.
Salazar pointed out the unusual nature of Cabello’s attempts to command emergency responders on the ground, given his primary role in the regime is to oversee state security forces.
“Diosdado Cabello is risking exposure by intervening directly. He has a history of trying to manage search operations, possibly to guard his hidden cocaine,” Salazar suggested. Eyewitnesses confirmed that Cabello was preventing access to specific buildings without giving reasons.
Following the earthquake, several strange incidents emerged, including video footage of Cabello blocking an American rescue team from entering a site where some believed survivors might be trapped. There were also reports of Venezuelan police looting a bag of cash from the rubble. Salazar noted that the confrontation with American rescuers took place in a restricted area known as the “Esplanade.”
Dramatic footage showed Cabello talking to American paramedics via an interpreter. The American team leader was heard urging, “There’s someone over there we’re trying to help… Don’t you want to help that person?”
The U.S. State Department later described the encounter as an “unfortunate misunderstanding” that was swiftly resolved, asserting that both parties were ultimately focused on saving lives following the earthquake.
Additionally, a police officer attempting to steal American cash was caught on camera and confronted by local women, who took the cash from him. One woman expressed indignation, saying, “They came here knowing there was money. We don’t know if they were sent here or acting on their own, but it’s unacceptable to focus on material possessions when people are dead.”
Diosdado Cabello is a prominent figure in the socialist regime, often seen as a key player in Maduro’s circle. The State Department has offered up to $25 million for information leading to his arrest, linking him to the Sunshine Cartel’s operations and alleging his involvement in various criminal activities.
The Maduro administration, led by Delcy Rodriguez, has welcomed U.S. aid, with the State Department pledging $300 million in humanitarian assistance for recovery efforts. However, the partnership between Rodriguez and Cabello appears fragile, especially in light of Cabello’s past ambitions to replace Maduro.
