La convergencia del Estado venezolano con la criminalidad ha sido tan profunda que investigadores como Paola Bautista de Alemán, presidenta del instituto de estudios políticos y sociales FORMA, no dudan en catalogar al Estado venezolano como un “Estado gansteril”. En el mismo sentido, el centro de investigación InSight Crime sostiene que en el “Estado hibrido criminal” que caracteriza a Venezuela, se “combina la gobernanza con la criminalidad, en donde grupos armados ilegales actúan al servicio del Estado, mientras que en su interior se conforman redes criminales de actores estatales corruptos”. Esta convergencia criminal no ha sido un hecho fortuito, sino ha sido el resultado de las estrategias implementadas tanto por Hugo Chávez como por Nicolás Maduro para preservar su poder político, según lo destaca InSight Crime en su informe “El ascenso del Estado criminal híbrido en Venezuela” (julio 2023). En ese informe, se sostiene que “Chávez se aseguró el respaldo de las fuerzas de seguridad y de poderosos actores políticos otorgándoles cargos estratégicos a los partidarios del régimen. Muchos de estos individuos se aprovecharon de sus posiciones en el Estado para establecer redes de corrupción dedicadas a malversar recursos públicos y a participar en economías criminales como el narcotráfico transnacional”.  By Ramón Cardozo Álvarez. Texto Completo -> DW

It is an election year in Venezuela, and President Nicolás Maduro is determined to cling to power. His criminal alliances will be crucial for the survival of his regime.The Maduro regime is built on a hybrid system of governance, an alliance between the government and organized crime networks, a symbiotic relationship where non-state armed groups (NSAGs) provide senior Chavistas with access to criminal rents and repress activity in their areas of influence. In return, the state tolerates, and in some cases actively protects, their activities. The year 2024 is likely to see the further consolidation of this system. by Venezuela Investigative Unit. Full Text -> InSightCrime

How did illicit economies become this powerful in Venezuela? According to Transparency, there is nowadays a “symbiotic relationship”, between criminal actors and state institutions as the interdependence between organized crime and the political and economic system has made borders “tenuous” and a sort “political-bureaucratic-economic-criminal corporation” crystallizes. “The state is silent, the state cooperates, or the state facilitates”, says Mercedes de Freitas, Transparencia Venezuela’s executive director. By Tony Frangie Mawad. Full Text -> CaracasChronicles

Based on a year-long investigation, this story traces Prieto’s rise from petty gangster to governor. It reveals how he turned the local police into his private militia, abusing and extorting the population, cracking down on dissent, and embarking on a rampage of extrajudicial killings. And it shows how Prieto’s inner circle grew rich and powerful amid accusations of their involvement in extortion, contraband smuggling, embezzlement, and illegal expropriations.  Full Text-> InSight Crime

Venezuela es un estado mafioso, porque los líderes no están interesados ya en gobernar. La élite política y militar invierte su energía en sacar el dinero a paraísos fiscales y hacer narcotráfico, en lugar de mejorar la seguridad y la educación de su país. Por David E. Kaplan. Texto completo -> The Global Investigative Journalism Network

English version -> Venezuela is very much a mafia state, because they’re not interested in running the government anymore. The political elite and military spend their energy not improving security or education but in setting up offshores and drug deals. Full Text -> The Global Investigative Journalism Network

Nicolás Maduro’s global web of illicit activities provides a lifeline of support to his regime and impedes a restoration of democratic stability in Venezuela. By Diego Area and Domingo Sadurní. Full Text-> Atlantic Council