Jorge RodrĂguez: New Evidence Reveals Juan GuaidĂł’s Links to Drug Trafficking
On Friday, March 18, the president of the National Assembly (AN) of Venezuela, Jorge RodrĂguez, presented new evidence about the links of former deputy Juan GuaidĂł and his Voluntad Popular (VP) party with Colombian drug trafficking.
At a press conference, RodrĂguez showed evidence of GuaidĂł’s links with Italian-Venezuelan drug trafficker Biagio Benito Garofalo Forte, who was arrested this March 14 in Colombia. The drug trafficker had an Interpol red alert against him in more than 190 countries.
Since 2006, Garofalo was part of an organization that introduced drugs into Spain through the company Top Tropical Fruit Group that ships fruits from South America to Spain through the port of Barcelona.
RELATED CONTENT: Arrest in Colombia of Drug Lord Linked to GuaidĂł & Right-Wing Politicians
“The relations between Juan GuaidĂł and Colombian drug traffickers and representatives of Venezuelan drug traffickers are clear,” denounced RodrĂguez. “It is known, it is public, communicable and proven.”
In 2016, Guaidó had appointed Garofalo Forte as the municipal head of VP in Anaco, Anzoátegui state.
El narcotraficante Biagio Garofalo detenido recientemente en Colombia guardaba vĂnculos polĂticos con integrantes de Voluntad Popular y dirigentes opositores, entre ellos, el exdiputado Marco Aurelio Quiñones. pic.twitter.com/sbGhFbU5MI
— REDRADIOVE (@RedRadioVe) March 18, 2022
RodrĂguez also mentioned that Garofalo acted as a liaison between the United States “ambassador” to Venezuela, James Story, and Juan GuaidĂł. He was VP’s main financier too.
Deputy RodrĂguez, who is also the president of the Commission for Dialogue, Peace and National Reconciliation, showed chats that confirmed the relation of former deputy Marco Aurelio Quiñones with drug trafficker Garofalo.
Jorge RodrĂguez presentĂł conversaciones de Whatsapp entre Franco Casella y Marco Aurelio Quiñones sobre la detenciĂłn de Biaggio Garafolo: "Me preocupa. Hubo fotos del encuentro que tuvimos en Caracas". pic.twitter.com/r1Z45a8sGa
— REDRADIOVE (@RedRadioVe) March 18, 2022
In the chats of former deputy Quiñones (one of GuaidĂł’s right-hand man) with the ex-parliamentarian Franco Casella, his concern about the evidence that Garofalo could present is evident.
RodrĂguez also showed a photo in which Garofalo appears together with the mayor of LecherĂa, Manuel Ferreira González, and the director of GuaidĂł’s alleged office, Luis Somaza.
Another piece of evidence was a video recorded in 2019, at a private party at Garofalo’s house in the Las Tinajas Country Club housing complex, where Juan GuaidĂł was present along with some other opposition leaders.
#URGENTE | Develan video de la casa del narcotráficante Biagio Garófalo donde se ve junto a Juan Guaidó. pic.twitter.com/T1ppcrGoaY
— REDRADIOVE (@RedRadioVe) March 18, 2022
“In January 2019,” RodrĂguez stated, “a party was held in Anaco, where Juan GuaidĂł, Marco Aurelio Quiñones, Carlos Paparoni and Barreto Sira were present.”
All these photos, videos and messages constitute undeniable evidence of GuaidĂł’s links with narco-trafficking, according to RodrĂguez.
Featured image: National Assembly President Jorge RodrĂguez speaks on the evidence linking Juan GuaidĂł with drug trafficking. Photo: RedRadioVE
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/EF/SC
