Cabello was nicknamed "the octopus" by
Rory Carroll for having "tentacles everywhere." He is very influential in the Venezuelan government, using a network of
patronage throughout the military, ministries and
pro-government militias. Information presented to the United States State Department by
Stratfor claimed that Cabello was "head of one of the major centers of corruption in Venezuela." A leaked U.S. Embassy cable from 2009 characterized Cabello as a "major pole" of corruption within the regime, describing him as "amassing great power and control over the regime’s apparatus as well as a private fortune, often through intimidation behind the scenes". The communiqué likewise created speculation that "Chavez himself might be concerned about Cabello's growing influence but unable to diminish it." of using nepotism to reward friends and family members by
the Atlantic In 2013, there were at least 17 formal corruption allegations lodged against Cabello in Venezuela's prosecutors office. On 27 January 2015, reports accusing Cabello of drug trafficking emerged. In a series of investigations by the United States government, it was stated that Cabello's alleged involvement in the drug trade as the "capo" (head) of the
Cartel of the Suns (Spanish
Cartel de los soles), had also involved high-ranking generals of Venezuelan military. On 26 March 2020, the U.S.
Department of State offered $10 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction by the US in relation to
drug trafficking and
narco-terrorism.
Assassination plot targeting Marco Rubio In mid-July 2017, reporters in Washington, D.C., observed an increased security presence surrounding Senator
Marco Rubio. On 13 August 2017,
The Miami Herald reported that a US
Department of Homeland Security memo alleged that Cabello may have initiated an assassination plot targeting Rubio, and may have contacted "unspecified Mexican nationals" to discuss killing Rubio. Cabello is a strong critic of Rubio, whom he dubbed "Narco Rubio". Rubio, who is a critic of the Venezuelan government, has led an effort in the United States government to take action against officials of the Latin American government, often singling out Cabello. The Department of Homeland Security could not verify the details involved in the threat, but took it seriously enough to contact multiple law enforcement agencies about the incident and Rubio's security detail had increased in size.
Sanctions Cabello has been
sanctioned by several countries and is banned from entering neighboring Colombia. The Colombian government maintains a list of people banned from entering Colombia or subject to expulsion; as of January 2019, the list had 200 people with a "close relationship and support for the Nicolás Maduro regime".
Argentina In September 2024, a federal court in Buenos Aires issued an arrest warrant against Cabello and several other Venezuelan officials for crimes against humanity.
Canada Canada sanctioned 40 Venezuelan officials, including Cabello, in September 2017. The sanctions were for behaviors that undermined democracy after at least 125 people were killed in the
2017 Venezuelan protests and "in response to the government of Venezuela's deepening descent into dictatorship".
European Union The
European Union sanctioned Cabello and six other Venezuela officials on 18 January 2018, singling them out as being responsible for deteriorating democracy in the country. The sanctioned individuals were prohibited from entering the nations of the European Union, and their assets were frozen. Cabello, known as number two in
Chavismo, had not been sanctioned by the U.S. when the European Union sanctioned him. As a result of the sanctions, reports estimate that approximately $800 million worth of assets were frozen by the United States government. Cabello denied the reports, stating that it would be foolish to have assets located in a place where they could be seized.
Switzerland On 28 March 2018, Cabello was sanctioned by Switzerland due to "human rights violations and the deterioration of the rule of law and democratic institutions", freezing their funds and banning them from entering Switzerland.
Mexico The Mexican Senate froze the assets of officials of the Maduro administration, including Cabello, and prohibited them from entering Mexico on 20 April 2018.
Panama In March 2018, Panama sanctioned 55 public officials, including Cabello; the officials were sanctioned by the Panamanian government for their alleged involvement with "money laundering, financing of terrorism and financing the proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction". == References ==