A deeply concerning criminal alliance spanning borders has been revealed, exposing the National liberation Army (ELN) as a "strategic proxy" and armed wing of the Nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela. This alliance is further bolstered by support from the terrorist network Hezbollah and major Brazilian drug cartels. The implications of this collaboration extend far beyond regional security,impacting drug trafficking routes,geopolitical stability,and potentially international terrorism.
The information comes from a report accessed by Colombian media outlet CHANGE, compiled by the Latin American hybrid Conflict Analysis Unit - a collaborative effort of military intelligence agencies across the region. The report details how the Venezuelan regime's permissiveness and direct support have transformed the ELN into a crucial component of illicit activities, including drug trafficking and territorial control.
The relationship between the ELN and the Venezuelan government has deep roots, stretching back over four decades.This long-standing connection has allowed key ELN leaders - including those known as aliases Gabino, Pablo Beltrán, and Pablito - to find safe haven and consolidate their operations in Venezuelan states like Zulia, Apure, and Amazonas, under the protection of the Venezuelan Army and the Bolivarian National Guard.
The report specifically identifies the ELN, under the command of Eliécer Herlinto Chamorro Acosta (alias Antonio García), Israel Ramírez Pineda (alias Pablo Beltrán), and Gustavo Aníbal Giraldo (alias pablito), as having strengthened its presence in the Catatumbo region. Here, the ELN functions as the armed wing of the Venezuelan regime and the "Cartel of the suns."
Intercepted communications and witness testimonies point to Diosdado Cabello as the central figure controlling the Cartel of the Suns, allegedly leveraging the ELN to expand illicit activities, especially drug trafficking and gold smuggling. The Cartel of the Suns is believed to be deeply embedded within the Venezuelan military, using its resources and influence to facilitate these operations.