The attorney general of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, at a press conference. File photo.
The attorney general of Venezuela, Tarek William Saab, reported about alleged links of the organized criminal gangs Tren del Llano and Wilexys with the post-electoral violence that took place during July 29-30.
At a press conference on Thursday, August 15, Saab stated that far-right politician Leopoldo López, through Gilbert Caro, “sent money to prison gang leaders to recruit young people to incite all kinds of violence.”
The attorney general presented a video in which the gangster Humberto Yánez alias El Valle, currently in prison, prosecuted for kidnapping and rape, said that he had been contacted by Gilbert Caro, who gave him instructions and money as well as sent him voice messages from Leopoldo López who told the gangsters that he would get “whatever he needed.” Yánez received $5,000 from the far-right politician.
Attorney General Saab stated that he had the confessions of three prison gang leaders with “horrifying” records, who claimed that they had received offers of money from Gilber Caro on behalf of Leopoldo López.
Nelson Barreto alias El RatĂłn is one of them, who is currently in the Uribana prison. He has an extensive record for illicit trafficking of narcotic substances, aggravated criminal association, homicide, and kidnapping. He was allegedly contacted by Caro to recruit people to create violence in the days following July 28 and to coordinate with El Valle.
The attorney general also presented a 17-minute video call between Gilber Caro and El Valle talking about “logistics.”
He added that this prison gang leader is part of a whatsapp group dedicated to supporting the team of Edmundo González and MarĂa Corina Machado and setting up disturbances from July 31.
A confession was also obtained from Ronald Fernando Mendoza Castillo alias Santa Rosa, who claimed that he had been invited to participate in the violent actions and he too had links with Caro.
Saab added that Caro is linked to three cases: one in 2017 for carrying an assault rifle and explosive material in his vehicle, another one dating from 2019 when he participated in violent actions during the period of the GuaidĂł-led coup attempt, and a third in 2021 when he participated in criminal activities in La Vega parish of Caracas.
Attorney General Saab stressed that Machado’s comanditos used criminals to commit all kinds of violent acts that resulted in the death of 25 people.
He added that 31 investigations have been carried out, including the analysis of 171 videos recorded by the perpetrators of the violence.
He further added that during the days of post-electoral violence, 192 people were injured, of whom 97 are security forces. “How can it be said that these were peaceful demonstrations?” he asked.
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There were plans to distribute drugs in the protests
The attorney general also reported the seizure of the drug captagon from an individual named José Luis Miranda Consuegra in Petare, Caracas. He was supposed to distribute the drug on Saturday, August 17, the date on which a “protest” has been called by the far right that is accusing the National Electoral Council of fraud.
Saad said that the purpose of the drug is “to drive crazy the people who were going to protest.”
Captagon is known to produce a stimulating effect in the central nervous system. “Its effects are sensation of mental and physical well-being, excitement, mental and physical stimulation and prolongation of alertness and suppression of hunger,” Saab said.
José Luis Miranda Consuegra, of Colombian nationality, was arrested in Petare Bolivarian National Police. At the time of his arrest, he had in his possession 4,000 units of the synthetic drug.
The detainee was presented before the courts and charged with the crimes of illicit drug trafficking and distribution.
“According to the investigations that we have in progress, this individual belongs to the Wilexys gang that had planned to use this drug with the objective of perpetrating terrorist acts in an opposition activity on Saturday, August 17,” Saab reported.
He added that investigation is also underway to determine whether Miranda Consuegra is linked to the aforementioned prison leaders.
Far right wanted a repeat of its presidential primaries fraud
Attorney General Saab commented that the extreme right wanted to repeat the fraud of its presidential primaries by “buying a webpage and falsifying voting records… They thought they could repeat this crime, obviously they could not.”
According to the attorney general, most of the opposition sympathizers are very disappointed and repudiate the violence.
“The names come out, MarĂa Corina Machado, Edmundo González, we have more evidence of the link between Leopoldo LĂłpez and Gilber Caro and the three prison gang leaders, trying to weaponize the violence,” he added.
“One has to be a psychopath to continue with this,” he said, referring to the far right’s calls to continue with the protests.
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/DZ
