These are the 5 mayors linked by the government to a drug trafficking network in Zulia

The sectorial vice president of Politics, Citizen Security and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, confirmed the arrest of a mayor of the Zulia state, whom he linked to a drug trafficking network, in which according to the official version at least five mayors would have participated, two of them opponents.

By The National

Cabello said on national television that the list of detainees continues to grow, and the officials responsible for these facts not yet captured are already «fully identified.»

Five mayors

He stressed that these actions are framed in an alleged link with drug trafficking, terrorism and corruption networks related to Venezuelan opposition actors, particularly with María Corina Machadoas well as with Colombian figures such as Álvaro Uribe and Iván Duque. According to Cabello, these actors are trying to use the Venezuelan territory to destabilize the country, promoting a «plot of corruption, terrorism, drug trafficking and paramilitarism.»

The supposed drug trafficking plot began to reveal itself last March, when the official announced the arrest of the mayors Jorge Nava and Alberto Sobalvarro, from the municipalities Miranda and Almirante Padilla, respectively, in addition to Danilo Añez, of the Jesús Enrique Lossada municipalityand Fernando Loaiza Chacón, of the catatumbo.

Fernando Loaiza Chacónmayor of Catatumbo

He Friday, March 14 In the morning he was arrested Fernando Loaiza Chacónmayor of the municipality Catatumboon the border with Colombia. Loaiza, who is the leader of the opposition, was transferred from Foundthe capital of the municipality in the south of the state, to Maracaibothe capital of Zulia.

At the time of his arrest, the officials informed him that they would take him for an interview related to ongoing investigations. However, hours later he was sent to Caracaswhile Found They waited for their return.

Loaiza Chacón He is the leader of Democratic action (AD) With long political experience. He arrived at the City Hall of Catatumbo In 2004 and since then he won all elections, remaining in office for 13 years. In 2017, Wilmer Arizacandidate of the official party PSUVhe managed to snatch the mayor’s office, but his administration was widely criticized and remained in office only for a short period due to his performance considered disastrous.

Alberto Sobalvarro, mayor of the Almirante Padilla municipality

Hair announced on the same day the arrest of two mayors of the PSUV In Zulia state: Alberto de Jesús Sobalvarro Duránmayor of the municipality Admiral Padillaand Jorge Navamayor of the municipality Mirandaboth on the eastern coast of Lake Maracaibo. Two cousins ​​of Nava They were also arrested as part of the operation.

Both mayors are part of the nearby circle of Omar José Prieto Fernándezformer governor of Zulia and aspiring to resume the position.

Sobalvarroeconomist, has been linked to activities outside of politics. An alleged work is mentioned as director of a Financial Advisors, in addition to having been deputy in the National Constituent Assembly. According to information from the research portal Armandoinfo In February 2025, Sobalvarro would be linked to companies dedicated to the commercialization of cigarettes, which would add a layer of complexity to its profile as an official.

Jorge Navafrom the Miranda municipality

Jorge Nava is Superior Technician in Administration. He was director of the Francisco de Miranda Bolivarian Front, coordinator of the Barrio Nuevo Barrio Tricolor Mission, responsible for the Bag Deliveries by the Strategic Food Program Foundation (Fundaproal) in Miranda, according to what was published by The whistle.

The official mayor was gunshot wounded on December 26, 2023 in a shooting after being in a gaiter dawn in the entity located on the eastern coast of the Lake.

The medium Talcual He then revealed, through a source, which Nava allegedly had «with mafias» links.

Danilo Áñez, mayor of the Jesús Enrique Lossada municipality

Danilo Áñezmayor of the municipality Jesús Enrique Lossada, In the state Zulia, and militant of PSUVhe was arrested at his residence, north of Maracaiboby officials of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (Sebin). According to sources confirmed by the diary Final versionÁñez’s arrest would be related to alleged criminal activities, specifically with mafias dedicated to fuel traffic and Drugs.

This arrest would be part of a broader operation that is directly connected with a case of drug trafficking dismantled hours before. He Minister Diosdado Cabello had reported in the morning about the confiscation of Five tons of cocaine in Zulia state, and had also confirmed the arrest of two other mayors of the PSUV, Jorge Nava and Alberto Sobalvarroas part of this operation against a criminal network in the region.

Social networks reports suggested that Áñez’s wife, Daviana Nieves de Áñezmember of the PSUVwould have been arrested in the same operation. It was also mentioned to Damaris Moralesformer head of the municipal school circuit, as one of the people arrested, although the formal charges against them have not yet been detailed.

The authorities have not specified if Nieves and Morales They face charges in relation to the operation.

Indira Fernández, mayor of the Guajira municipality

To Indira Fernández, mayor of the Guajira municipality, in Zulia state, It was arrested by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service . His arrest was executed on April 2. It happened in the context of the so -called Catatumbo operation, directed against alleged mafias that operate on the western border of Venezuela and which has splashed leaders and municipal officials of the PSUV.

Fernández, 51, is Psychologist, mother of three children and since 2018 occupied the Mayor’s Office of Guajira. He thus became the first woman to direct the municipality.