22 Apr The Double Discourse of the Venezuelan Elite: Privileges, Corruption, and Disconnection from the National Crisis

Por,

William Acosta, SME, MSI² & Jesús Daniel Romero, Co-Founder and Senior Fellow, MSI²

The phenomenon of the children and “boliburguesía” (Bolivarian bourgeoisie) of the Venezuelan regime, who study, live, and travel abroad while investing in luxury properties and businesses in the United States and Europe, demands a broader analysis (Infobae, 2019a). 

This requires a critical review of the economic aid provided by the United States to various Latin American governments that, while presenting themselves as strategic allies, often act as “convenient allies”—prioritizing their own interests over the promotion of democracy and human rights (Confidencial, 2025; WOLA, 2025).  

It is crucial for the U.S. to reassess its cooperation and assistance policies, as many of these governments fail to uphold the democratic values Washington seeks to promote (CADTM, 2024). Often, they even hinder U.S. efforts in the region.  

A concrete measure would be to revoke visas for these elites and their families, forcing their children to live in the countries they publicly defend. If they genuinely advocate for socialist systems, they should experience the “dream of misery” faced daily by citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, as well as the structural issues persisting in China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran (NUSO, 2024).  

Many of these “textbook, legendary, and YouTube socialists” defend ideals they have never lived (Infobae, 2019b). It is unacceptable that they continue to enjoy the benefits of the U.S. system while exporting violence, corruption, and drug trafficking that impact the security and quality of life within the U.S. (Convoca.pe, 2020).  

The Venezuelan crisis is not only due to economic collapse and political repression but also to the consolidation of a parasitic elite that has amassed wealth and privileges under a false revolutionary discourse (Transparencia Internacional, 2018). This phenomenon highlights the hypocrisy of those who proclaim anti-imperialist ideals while enjoying the luxuries of the capitalist world they publicly criticize (Infobae, 2019a; El País, 2018).  

Privileges and Corruption of the Chavista Elite  

The rise of Venezuela’s “boliburguesía” has been driven by the discretionary control of public resources, structural corruption, and the creation of international money-laundering networks (OCCRP, 2021; Diario Las Américas, 2024).  

Emblematic cases starkly illustrate this disconnection: 

 

• María Gabriela Chávez, daughter of the late Hugo Chávez, is reportedly one of Venezuela’s richest women, with an estimated fortune of over $4 billion, primarily held in foreign accounts. She resides between New York and Buenos Aires and has held diplomatic posts granting her immunity (Infobae, 2019a).  

• Rosinés Chávez, also Chávez’s daughter, studied at the prestigious Sorbonne University in Paris while Venezuela’s public education system deteriorated to subsistence levels (El País, 2018).  

• Yoswal and Walter Gavidia Flores, stepchildren of Nicolás Maduro, have been photographed traveling to luxury destinations like Paris, Rome, and Bangkok, spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on five-star hotels and exclusive boutiques (Infobae, 2022).  

• Alejandro Andrés Ceballos, son of businessman Alejandro Ceballos Jiménez, linked to Chavismo, moved over $22 million through offshore accounts. His family owns luxury properties in Caracas, Miami, and Madrid, as well as racehorse stables in Florida (Convoca.pe, 2020).  

• Daniella Cabello, daughter of Diosdado Cabello, lives a celebrity lifestyle on social media with frequent luxury trips while holding cultural positions in Venezuela. She was recently sanctioned by the U.S. government for her ties to corruption networks (Infobae, 2023).  

• Luis Chacín Haddad and his son, linked to irregular Corpoelec contracts, acquired properties in Orlando through shell companies, concealing the origin of their funds (Diario Las Américas, 2024).

• The Wakil and Sayegh Sakka family invested in at least five luxury properties in Miami, valued at over $19 million, including apartments in the exclusive Porsche Design Tower (El País, 2018).  

• The Malpica Flores family, linked to Cilia Flores, acquired residences in Orlando and has been implicated in corruption operations worth hundreds of millions, according to international investigations (El País, 2024).  

These cases represent only a fraction of the extensive network of relatives of former officials, military personnel, judges, and businessmen tied to Chavismo who have established residences and fortunes in the United States, Spain, Portugal, and other privileged destinations. Meanwhile, millions of Venezuelans face poverty-level wages, lack of basic services, and an unprecedented humanitarian crisis (Transparencia Internacional, 2018).  

Summary of the Plunder: Transnational Impunity  

The structural corruption of Chavismo has been facilitated by the complicity of international banks, particularly in Europe, which processed millions in Venezuelan public funds without proper oversight (Convoca.pe, 2020; OCCRP, 2021). Swiss, Portuguese, and German institutions—such as Credit Suisse, Julius Baer, CBH, Banco Espírito Santo, and Deutsche Bank—played key roles in hiding illicit fortunes.  

International sanctions have had limited impact: 

while they have restricted certain movements, corruption networks continue to operate through cryptocurrencies, offshore companies, and new financial platforms. Fines imposed on complicit banks, though substantial, have been insufficient to deter recidivism (World Compliance Association, 2023; BBC, 2020).  

Conclusion and Recommendations  

The looting of Venezuela has been enabled by an international corruption structure involving officials, businessmen, bankers, and frontmen. Meanwhile, the Venezuelan population faces one of the hemisphere’s worst humanitarian crises.  

It is essential that the United States and the international community:  

– Review their foreign aid and cooperation policies.  

– Apply more effective and targeted sanctions against networks of frontmen and shell companies.  

– Strengthen immigration and financial control mechanisms to prevent these elites from operating with impunity abroad.  

Only coordinated international action, coupled with the empowerment of Venezuelan civil society, can break the cycle of impunity and pave the way for a genuine democratic transition (NUSO, 2024).  

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References 

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