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{{short description|Term describing the new bourgeois created by the Venezuelan government}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
'''Bolibourgeoisie''' (a [[Portmanteau word|portmanteau]] of the words [[Bolivarianism|Bolivarian]] and [[bourgeoisie]]) or '''Bolichicos''' (English: Boliboys) are terms describing the new bourgeois created by the [[Government of Venezuela|Venezuelan government]] of [[Hugo Chávez]] and ''[[Chavismo]]'', made up of people who became rich under the [[Chavismo|Chávez administration]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/venezuela-es/article217154970.html|title=EEUU congela mansión vinculada al testaferro de los hijastros de Maduro en caso de "los Bolichicos"|work=[[El Nuevo Herald]]|access-date=2018-08-24|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/economia/2009/12/091202_1045_venezuela_boliburguesia_wbm.shtml |title= Boliburguesía: nueva clase venezolana |author= Valery, Yolanda |date= 2 December 2009 |publisher= [[BBC Mundo]] |accessdate= 15 August 2010|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/world/americas/17venez.html?scp=2&sq=hugo+chavez&st=nyt |title= Purging Loyalists, Chávez Tightens His Inner Circle |author= Romero, Simon |work= The New York Times |date= 16 February 2010}}</ref> The term was coined by journalist Juan Carlos Zapata to "define the [[oligarchy]] that has developed under the protection of the Chávez government".<ref>{{cite web|title=Auge y caída de un boliburgués |date=24 November 2009 |publisher=talcualdigital.com |url=http://www.talcualdigital.com/Especiales/Viewer.aspx?id=28770 |quote=La boliburguesía –un término acuñado por el periodista Juan Carlos Zapata para definir a la oligarquía que ha crecido bajo protección del gobierno chavista– consituye hoy una "nueva clase social" de empresarios y políticos que se han servido de la falta de control del Parlamento, Fiscalía y Contraloría, para enriquecerse y hacer toda suerte de negocios, algunas veces de dudosa solvencia moral |accessdate=16 August 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125233718/http://www.talcualdigital.com/Especiales/Viewer.aspx?id=28770 |archive-date=25 November 2009 |language=es}}</ref><ref name="lainformacion">{{cite web | url=http://noticias.lainformacion.com/mundo/los-bolliburgueses-la-nueva-casta-venezolana-surgida-de-la-revolucion_iyx9YqehJFCDlbsCcvu4l4/ | title=Los 'bolliburgueses', la nueva casta venezolana surgida de la revolución | work=lainformacion.com | date=18 October 2014 | accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>
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'''Boliburguesía''' ({{lang-en|Bolibourgeoisie}}, a [[Portmanteau word|portmanteau]] of the words [[Bolivarian]] and [[bourgeoisie]]) is a term describing the new bourgeois created by the [[Government of Venezuela|Venezuelan government]] of [[Hugo Chávez]] and [[Chavismo|Chavism]], made up of people who became rich under the [[Chavismo|Chavez administration]].<ref>{{es icon}} {{cite web|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/mundo/economia/2009/12/091202_1045_venezuela_boliburguesia_wbm.shtml |title= Boliburguesía: nueva clase venezolana |author= Valery, Yolanda |date= 2 December 2009 |publisher= [[BBC Mundo]] |accessdate= 15 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/world/americas/17venez.html?scp=2&sq=hugo+chavez&st=nyt |title= Purging Loyalists, Chávez Tightens His Inner Circle |author= Romero, Simon |work= The New York Times |date= 16 February 2010}}</ref> The term was coined by journalist Juan Carlos Zapata to "define the [[oligarchy]] that has developed under the protection of the Chavez government".<ref>{{es icon}} {{cite web|title=Auge y caída de un boliburgués |date=24 November 2009 |publisher=talcualdigital.com |url=http://www.talcualdigital.com/Especiales/Viewer.aspx?id=28770 |quote=La boliburguesía –un término acuñado por el periodista Juan Carlos Zapata para definir a la oligarquía que ha crecido bajo protección del gobierno chavista– consituye hoy una "nueva clase social" de empresarios y políticos que se han servido de la falta de control del Parlamento, Fiscalía y Contraloría, para enriquecerse y hacer toda suerte de negocios, algunas veces de dudosa solvencia moral |accessdate=16 August 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091125233718/http://www.talcualdigital.com/Especiales/Viewer.aspx?id=28770 |archivedate=25 November 2009 }}</ref><ref name="lainformacion">{{cite web | url=http://noticias.lainformacion.com/mundo/los-bolliburgueses-la-nueva-casta-venezolana-surgida-de-la-revolucion_iyx9YqehJFCDlbsCcvu4l4/ | title=Los 'bolliburgueses', la nueva casta venezolana surgida de la revolución | work=lainformacion.com | date=18 October 2014 | accessdate=22 June 2016}}</ref>


Corruption among the Boliburguesía and Chavez-administration sympathizers has moved millions of dollars with the complicity of public officials, with some becoming rich under the guise of [[socialism]].<ref>{{es icon}} {{cite web|url=http://informe21.com/accion-democratica/denuncian-supuestos-guisos-del-gobierno-banqueros |title=Henry Ramos Allup: Corrupción millonaria de boliburguesía con la complicidad de funcionarios |publisher=informe21.com |date=1 November 2009| accessdate= 15 August 2010}}</ref><ref name=ENHenryRamos>{{es icon}} {{cite news |url=http://el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo/111079/Nacional/Henry-Ramos:-Sin-bolifuncionarios-no-habr%C3%ADa-boliburgues%C3%ADa |title=Henry Ramos: Sin "bolifuncionarios" no habría "boliburguesía" |date=30 November 2009 |work=[[El Nacional (Caracas)|El Nacional]] |df=dmy }}{{dead link|date=August 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Henry Ramos Allup]], general secretary of opposition party [[Democratic Action (Venezuela)|Democratic Action]], has said corruption in the financial industry and other sectors of Venezuela is tied to government officials of the Chávez administration.<ref name=ENHenryRamos/><ref>{{es icon}} {{cite news |url=http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=134446 |title=Ramos Allup denunció a 11 empresarios pertenecientes "boliburguesía |date=30 November 2009 |work=[[Globovision]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204045918/http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=134446 |archivedate=4 February 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref> Following the [[Death of Hugo Chávez|death of Chavez]], the Boliburguesía became more powerful and held more influence over Venezuela.<ref name="DITboliburg">{{cite book|last1=Corrales|first1=Javier|last2=Penfold|first2=Michael|title=Dragon in the tropics : hugo chavez and the political economy of revolution in venezuela.|date=2014|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|location=[S.l.]|isbn=0815725930|page=xii|edition=Second}}</ref>
Corruption among the bolibourgeoisie and Chávez-administration sympathizers has moved billions of dollars with the complicity of public officials, with some becoming rich under the guise of [[socialism]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://informe21.com/accion-democratica/denuncian-supuestos-guisos-del-gobierno-banqueros |title=Henry Ramos Allup: Corrupción millonaria de boliburguesía con la complicidad de funcionarios |publisher=informe21.com |date=1 November 2009| accessdate= 15 August 2010|language=es}}</ref><ref name=ENHenryRamos>{{cite news |url=http://el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo/111079/Nacional/Henry-Ramos:-Sin-bolifuncionarios-no-habr%C3%ADa-boliburgues%C3%ADa |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203194939/http://www.el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php?q=nodo%2F111079%2FNacional%2FHenry-Ramos%3A-Sin-bolifuncionarios-no-habr%C3%ADa-boliburgues%C3%ADa |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 December 2009 |title=Henry Ramos: Sin "bolifuncionarios" no habría "boliburguesía" |date=30 November 2009 |work=[[El Nacional (Caracas)|El Nacional]] |df=dmy |language=es |access-date=20 October 2019 }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> [[Henry Ramos Allup]], a leader of the opposition party [[Democratic Action (Venezuela)|Democratic Action]], has said corruption in the financial industry and other sectors of Venezuela is tied to government officials of the Chávez administration.<ref name=ENHenryRamos/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=134446 |title=Ramos Allup denunció a 11 empresarios pertenecientes "boliburguesía |date=30 November 2009 |work=[[Globovision]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100204045918/http://www.globovision.com/news.php?nid=134446 |archive-date=4 February 2010 |df=dmy |language=es}}</ref> Following the [[Death of Hugo Chávez|death of Chávez]], the bolibourgeoisie became more powerful and held more influence over Venezuela during the presidency of [[Nicolás Maduro]].<ref name="DITboliburg">{{cite book|last1=Corrales|first1=Javier|last2=Penfold|first2=Michael|title=Dragon in the tropics : hugo chavez and the political economy of revolution in venezuela.|date=2014|publisher=Brookings Institution Press|location=[S.l.]|isbn=978-0815725930|page=xii|edition=Second}}</ref> Many figures of the bolibourgeoisie were included in the [[Panama Papers]] scandal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/18/panama-papers-tightened-the-noose-on-offshore-assets-of-maduros-inner-circle|title=Panama Papers 'tightened the noose' on offshore assets of Maduro's inner circle|last=Youkee|first=Mat|date=2019-02-18|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=2019-02-18|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>


== Background ==
== Background ==
During Chávez's tenure, he seized thousands of properties and businesses while also reducing the footprint of foreign companies.<ref name=BLOOMaug2014>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Michael|last2=Kurmanaev|first2=Anatoly|title=Venezuela Sees Chavez Friends Rich After His Death Amid Poverty|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-08-12/venezuela-sees-chavez-friends-rich-after-his-death-amid-poverty|accessdate=16 April 2015|agency=''[[Bloomberg Business]]''|date=12 August 2014}}</ref> [[Economy of Venezuela|Venezuela's economy]] was then largely state-run and was operated by military officers that had their business and government affairs connected.<ref name=BLOOMaug2014/> Senior fellow at the [[Brookings Institution]], Harold Trinkunas, stated that involving the military in business was "a danger", with Trinkunas explaining that the Venezuelan military "has the greatest ability to coerce people, into business like they have".<ref name=BLOOMaug2014/> According to ''[[Bloomberg Business]]'', "[b]y showering contracts on former military officials and pro-government business executives, Chavez put a new face on the system of patronage".<ref name=BLOOMaug2014/>
When President Chávez attained power in Venezuela, he faced opposition from the traditional elite within the country.<ref name=":0" /> Chávez created a new elite with access to dollars, which led to the establishment of a new wealthy class.<ref name=":0" /> During Chávez's tenure, he seized thousands of properties and businesses while also reducing the footprint of foreign companies.<ref name=BLOOMaug2014>{{cite news|last1=Smith|first1=Michael|last2=Kurmanaev|first2=Anatoly|title=Venezuela Sees Chavez Friends Rich After His Death Amid Poverty|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-08-12/venezuela-sees-chavez-friends-rich-after-his-death-amid-poverty|accessdate=16 April 2015|agency=[[Bloomberg Business]]|date=12 August 2014}}</ref> [[Economy of Venezuela|Venezuela's economy]] was then largely state-run and was operated by military officers that had their business and government affairs connected.<ref name=BLOOMaug2014/>
Senior fellow at the [[Brookings Institution]], Harold Trinkunas, stated that involving the military in business was "a danger", with Trinkunas explaining that the Venezuelan military "has the greatest ability to coerce people, into business like they have".<ref name="BLOOMaug2014" /> According to ''[[Bloomberg Business]]'', "[b]y showering contracts on former military officials and pro-government business executives, Chávez put a new face on the system of patronage".<ref name="BLOOMaug2014" />


=== Government officials ===
=== Government officials ===
[[File:Three trump towers Sunny Isles.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Trump Towers (Sunny Isles Beach)|Trump Towers]] in [[Sunny Isles Beach, Florida]] where relatives of the National Superintendent of Securities own a condominium]]
[[File:Three trump towers Sunny Isles.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Trump Towers (Sunny Isles Beach)|Trump Towers]] in [[Sunny Isles Beach, Florida]] where relatives of the National Superintendent of Securities own a condominium]]
Alejandro Andrade, who was appointed Minister of Finance by President Chávez, was accused of using public funds by opposition deputy [[Ismael García]] and was described as participating in a "network of corruption" by the [[United States Department of State]]. Andrade travels to the United States through a private [[Learjet 45]] worth $10 million that is registered in Delaware.<ref name=UNIaug2013/> He had invested in horses for [[show jumping]], having a horse farm attributed to Andrade's firm in South Carolina. Alejandro's son, Emanuel, was also sponsored by his father and is a decorated show jumping jockey and own multiple horses that are worth up to millions of dollars and [[Stud (animal)|studs]] that can earn profits from breeding.<ref name=UNIaug2013>{{cite news|last1=Reyes|first1=Gerardo|last2=Ocando|first2=Cato|title=Boliburgueses y el encanto del Imperio|url=http://noticias.univision.com/article/1625882/2013-08-04/univision-investiga/investigaciones/boliburgueses-y-el-encanto-del-imperio|accessdate=15 April 2015|agency=[[Univision]]|date=4 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EMANUEL ANDRADE|url=http://www.startinggate.ca/ourclients/Emanuel_Andrade.htm|website=Starting Gate Communications|accessdate=15 April 2015}}</ref> Andrade also hired a public relations firm, Starting Gate Communications, an organization that specializes in equestrian activities for his son.<ref name=UNIaug2013/> In March 2018, it was reported that United States authorities were investigating Andrade for money laundering and funneling Venezuelan state funds into his own interests.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex tesorero nacional de Chávez, Alejandro Andrade, en el centro de "enorme investigación" por lavado en EEUU|url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/venezuela-es/article207546504.html|accessdate=1 April 2018|work=[[El Nuevo Herald]]|date=31 March 2018|language=es}}</ref>
[[Alejandro Andrade]], who was appointed Minister of Finance by President Chávez, owned a private [[Learjet 45]] worth $10 million that was registered in Delaware.<ref name=UNIaug2013/> He had invested in horses for [[show jumping]], having a horse farm attributed to Andrade's firm in South Carolina. Alejandro's son, [[Emanuel Andrade]], was also sponsored by his father and is a decorated show jumping jockey and owned multiple horses that are worth up to millions of dollars and [[Stud (animal)|studs]] that can earn profits from breeding.<ref name="UNIaug2013">{{cite news|url=https://www.univision.com/noticias/univision-investiga/boliburgueses-y-el-encanto-del-imperio|title=Boliburgueses y el encanto del Imperio|last1=Reyes|first1=Gerardo|date=4 August 2013|accessdate=15 April 2015|agency=[[Univision]]|last2=Ocando|first2=Cato}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=EMANUEL ANDRADE|url=http://www.startinggate.ca/ourclients/Emanuel_Andrade.htm|website=Starting Gate Communications|accessdate=15 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416020246/http://www.startinggate.ca/ourclients/Emanuel_Andrade.htm|archive-date=16 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Andrade also hired a public relations firm, Starting Gate Communications, an organization that specializes in equestrian activities for his son.<ref name=UNIaug2013/>


The brother of the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]] (PSUV) politician [[Jesse Chacón]], Arné Chacón, established a stable in Florida called Gadu Racing Stable Corp. and had horses compete in races in the United States until he was arrested in 2009. Brother of Ronald Sanchez the National Superintendent of Securities of Venezuela, Tomás Sánchez had a second stable, Rontos Racing Stable Corp., created that was signed by the same Gadu agent two months later. Ronald Sanchez was also accused of being involved in an extortion scandal in Miami by Venezuelan banker Thomas Vasquez in a testimony involving the case.<ref name=UNIaug2013/> The Rontos Racing Stable Corp. also own an apartment in the [[Trump Towers (Sunny Isles Beach)|Trump Towers Miami building]] that was quoted at $625,000 in 2011.<ref name=UNIaug2013/><ref>{{cite web|title=Property Search Summary Report: 15811 Collins Ave Unit 2305|url=http://s0.uvnimg.com/files/2013/08/14092/propiedadsunnyislesanombrederontosracingstablecorp.pdf|website=Miami-Dade County Office of the Property Appraiser|accessdate=16 April 2015}}</ref>
The brother of the [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela]] (PSUV) politician [[Jesse Chacón]], Arné Chacón, established a stable in Florida called Gadu Racing Stable Corp. and had horses compete in races in the United States until he was arrested in 2009. Brother of Ronald Sanchez the National Superintendent of Securities of Venezuela, Tomás Sánchez had a second stable, Rontos Racing Stable Corp., created that was signed by the same Gadu agent two months later. Ronald Sanchez was also accused of being involved in an extortion scandal in Miami by Venezuelan banker Thomas Vasquez in a testimony involving the case.<ref name=UNIaug2013/> The Rontos Racing Stable Corp. also own an apartment in the [[Trump Towers (Sunny Isles Beach)|Trump Towers Miami building]] that was quoted at $625,000 in 2011.<ref name=UNIaug2013/><ref>{{cite web|title=Property Search Summary Report: 15811 Collins Ave Unit 2305|url=http://s0.uvnimg.com/files/2013/08/14092/propiedadsunnyislesanombrederontosracingstablecorp.pdf|website=Miami-Dade County Office of the Property Appraiser|accessdate=16 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044745/http://s0.uvnimg.com/files/2013/08/14092/propiedadsunnyislesanombrederontosracingstablecorp.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>


=== Business executives ===
=== Business executives ===
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=== Chávez family ===
=== Chávez family ===
{{multiple image|direction=vertical|width=250|align=right|image1=Bentley (3415482189).jpg|caption1=A [[Bentley Continental Flying Spur]] similar to Chávez's||image2=2010-07-21 G550 NetJets CS-DKE EDDF 02.jpg|caption2=A [[Gulfstream G550]] similar to one used by the Chávez family|image3=CLA45-AMG.JPG|caption3=[[Mercedes-Benz]] vehicles such as this are used by the Chávez, Maduro and Flores family}}
{{multiple image|direction=vertical|width=250|align=right|image1=Bentley (3415482189).jpg|caption1=A [[Bentley Flying Spur (2005)|Bentley Continental Flying Spur]] similar to Chávez's||image2=2010-07-21 G550 NetJets CS-DKE EDDF 02.jpg|caption2=A [[Gulfstream G550]] similar to one used by the Chávez family|image3=CLA45-AMG.JPG|caption3=[[Mercedes-Benz]] vehicles such as this are used by the Chávez, Maduro and Flores family}}
While Chávez was [[President of Venezuela|President]], he stayed in the most expensive locations, with hundreds of individuals composing his entourage that included masseuses, chefs, tailors and Cuban doctors.<ref name=CLARKrev>{{cite book|last1=Clark|first1=A.C.|title=The revolutionary has no clothes Hugo Chávez's Bolivarian farce|date=2009|publisher=Encounter Books|location=New York|isbn=1594034451|page=65}}</ref> Chávez and his family also wore designer clothes along with high-end fashion accessories and jewelry, with brand names including [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier]], [[Dolce & Gabbana]] and [[Patek Philippe & Co.]] among others.<ref name="CLARKrev" /><ref name="SEMANA">{{cite news|title=Los bienes que habría dejado Chávez|url=http://www.semana.com/mundo/articulo/los-bienes-habria-dejado-chavez/336733-3|accessdate=19 April 2015|agency=''[[Semana]]''|date=14 March 2013}}</ref> The daughters of Chávez have been seen with celebrities such as [[Justin Bieber]], traveling internationally visiting places such as [[Disneyland Paris]], [[New York City]] and [[Patagonia]] while also attending concerts of [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]].<ref name=SEMANA/>
While Chávez was [[President of Venezuela|President]], he stayed in the most expensive locations, with hundreds of individuals composing his entourage that included masseuses, chefs, tailors and Cuban doctors.<ref name=CLARKrev>{{cite book|last1=Clark|first1=A.C.|title=The revolutionary has no clothes Hugo Chávez's Bolivarian farce|date=2009|publisher=Encounter Books|location=New York|isbn=978-1594034459|page=65}}</ref> Chávez and his family also wore designer clothes along with high-end fashion accessories and jewelry, with brand names including [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier]], [[Dolce & Gabbana]] and [[Patek Philippe & Co.]] among others.<ref name="CLARKrev" /><ref name="SEMANA">{{cite news|title=Los bienes que habría dejado Chávez|url=http://www.semana.com/mundo/articulo/los-bienes-habria-dejado-chavez/336733-3|accessdate=19 April 2015|agency=[[Semana]]|date=14 March 2013}}</ref> The daughters of Chávez have been seen with celebrities such as [[Justin Bieber]], traveling internationally visiting places such as [[Disneyland Paris]], [[New York City]] and [[Patagonia]] while also attending concerts of [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]].<ref name=SEMANA/>


Members of the Chávez family live in a suburb of Barinas, Chávez's birthplace, occupying a mansion that is enclosed off from the public by walls topped with [[razor wire]].<ref name=TELEapril2013>{{cite news|last1=Baverstock|first1=Alasdair|last2=Foster|first2=Peter|title=Venezuela: the wealth of Chavez family exposed|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/9993238/Venezuela-the-wealth-of-Chavez-family-exposed.html|accessdate=15 April 2015|agency=''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''|date=14 April 2013}}</ref> Asdrubal Chávez, Chávez's cousin, is vice president of production and trade of [[PDVSA]] and is in charge of the majority of oil contracts.<ref name=SEMANA/> Chávez's brothers also hold positions in the Venezuelan government.<ref name=SEMANA/> Argenisis is the president of the state-run energy company CORPOELEC and Hannibal is the mayor of Sabaneta.<ref name=SEMANA/> In 2004, the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] estimates showed that the family was possibly worth $140 million.<ref name=SEMANA/> In 2013, it was estimated that the Chávez family had [[liquid assets]] of about $550 million in multiple international bank accounts.<ref name=TELEapril2013/>
Members of the Chávez family live in a suburb of Barinas, Chávez's birthplace, occupying a mansion that is enclosed off from the public by walls topped with [[razor wire]].<ref name=TELEapril2013>{{cite news|last1=Baverstock|first1=Alasdair|last2=Foster|first2=Peter|title=Venezuela: the wealth of Chavez family exposed|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/venezuela/9993238/Venezuela-the-wealth-of-Chavez-family-exposed.html|accessdate=15 April 2015|agency=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=14 April 2013}}</ref> Asdrubal Chávez, Chávez's cousin, is vice president of production and trade of [[PDVSA]] and is in charge of the majority of oil contracts.<ref name=SEMANA/> Chávez's brothers also hold positions in the Venezuelan government.<ref name=SEMANA/> Argenisis is the president of the state-run energy company CORPOELEC and Hannibal is the mayor of Sabaneta.<ref name=SEMANA/> In 2004, the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] estimates showed that the family was possibly worth $140 million.<ref name=SEMANA/> In 2013, it was estimated that the Chávez family had [[liquid assets]] of about $550 million in multiple international bank accounts.<ref name=TELEapril2013/>


Though Chávez denounced hypocritical socialists and criticized those who bought luxury vehicles such as [[Hummer]]s, he and his family acquired multiple vehicles during his presidency,<ref name=SEMANA/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Romero|first1=Simon|title=Venezuela’s Gas Prices Remain Low, but the Political Costs May Be Rising|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/world/americas/30venezuela.html?_r=0|accessdate=19 April 2015|agency=''[[The New York Times]]''|date=30 October 2007}}</ref><ref name=N24oct2007>{{cite news|url=http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/8868/llego-el-comandante-y-mando-a-parar/ | date=10 October 2007 |title= 'Llegó el Presidente y mandó a parar'|work=noticias24.com|language=es}}</ref> including aircraft such as the [[Bombardier Challenger 600 series#CL-605|Bombardier Challenger 605]] and [[Gulfstream G550]]<ref name=UNImarch2014>{{cite news|title=Hugo Chavez had a millionaire empire|url=http://noticias.univision.com/article/1872653/2014-03-05/america-latina/venezuela/hugo-chavez-tenia-un-millonario-imperio|accessdate=19 April 2015|agency=[[Univision]]|date=5 March 2014}}</ref> and automobiles like the [[Bentley Mulsanne (2010)|Bentley Mulsanne]] and [[Chevrolet LUV D-Max]] as well as multiple Hummers and [[Mercedes-Benz]] vehicles.<ref name=SEMANA/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rueda|first1=Alfredo|title=Los coches de Hugo Chávez|url=http://www.autobild.es/noticias/coches-hugo-chavez-196193|website=''[[Auto Bild]]''|accessdate=19 April 2015}}</ref>
Though Chávez denounced hypocritical socialists and criticized those who bought luxury vehicles such as [[Hummer]]s, he and his family acquired multiple vehicles during his presidency,<ref name=SEMANA/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Romero|first1=Simon|title=Venezuela's Gas Prices Remain Low, but the Political Costs May Be Rising|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/30/world/americas/30venezuela.html?_r=0|accessdate=19 April 2015|agency=[[The New York Times]]|date=30 October 2007}}</ref><ref name="N24oct2007">{{cite news|url=http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/8868/llego-el-comandante-y-mando-a-parar/|title='Llegó el Presidente y mandó a parar'|last=Peregil|first=Francisco|date=10 October 2007|work=Noticias24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304222800/http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/noticia/8868/llego-el-comandante-y-mando-a-parar/|archive-date=4 March 2012|language=es}}</ref> including aircraft such as the [[Bombardier Challenger 600 series#CL-605|Bombardier Challenger 605]] and [[Gulfstream G550]]<ref name=UNImarch2014>{{cite news|title=Hugo Chavez had a millionaire empire|url=http://noticias.univision.com/article/1872653/2014-03-05/america-latina/venezuela/hugo-chavez-tenia-un-millonario-imperio|accessdate=19 April 2015|agency=[[Univision]]|date=5 March 2014}}</ref> and automobiles like the [[Bentley Mulsanne (2010)|Bentley Mulsanne]] and [[Chevrolet LUV D-Max]] as well as multiple Hummers and [[Mercedes-Benz]] vehicles.<ref name=SEMANA/><ref>{{cite web|last1=Rueda|first1=Alfredo|title=Los coches de Hugo Chávez|url=http://www.autobild.es/noticias/coches-hugo-chavez-196193|website=[[Auto Bild]]|accessdate=19 April 2015}}</ref>


It is estimated that the Chávez family owns 17 estates totaling more than 100,000 acres.<ref name=TELEapril2013/> Each estate cost between $400,000 and $700,000, with the estates having their own roads.<ref name=SEMANA/> According to state legislator and Chávez critic Wilmer Azuaje, members of Chávez's family live in mansions in Alto Barinas and children of the family have their own waiting staff in their school's dining hall.<ref name=TELEapril2013/>
It is estimated that the Chávez family owns 17 estates totaling more than 100,000 acres.<ref name=TELEapril2013/> Each estate cost between $400,000 and $700,000, with the estates having their own roads.<ref name=SEMANA/> According to state legislator and Chávez critic [[Wilmer Azuaje]], members of Chávez's family live in mansions in Alto Barinas and children of the family have their own waiting staff in their school's dining hall.<ref name=TELEapril2013/>


=== Maduro and Flores families ===
=== Maduro and Flores families ===
The families of President [[Nicolás Maduro]] and his wife [[Cilia Flores]] have benefitted from supporting the Bolivarian government. Flores has been accused of [[nepotism]] with individuals claiming that several of her close relatives became employees of the National Assembly while she was in office.<ref name=ETcolombia>{{cite news|last1=Lares Martiz|first1=Valentina|title=Denuncian por nepotismo a la presidenta del Congreso venezolano, Cilia Flores|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-4378170|accessdate=12 August 2015|agency=''[[El Tiempo (Colombia)]]|date=15 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.talcualdigital.com/nota/visor.aspx?id=57908&tipo=AVA |title=Clan Flores fuera de la AN |access-date=30 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113024/http://www.talcualdigital.com/nota/visor.aspx?id=57908&tipo=AVA |archive-date=24 September 2015 |dead-url=yes |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://www.versionfinal.com.ve/wp/2008/05/30/es-falso-que-tenga-muchos-familiares-en-la-asamblea/ "Es falso que tenga muchos familiares en la Asamblea"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204072120/http://www.versionfinal.com.ve/wp/2008/05/30/es-falso-que-tenga-muchos-familiares-en-la-asamblea/ |date=4 February 2012 }} 30 May 2008.</ref>
The families of President [[Nicolás Maduro]] and his wife [[Cilia Flores]] have benefitted from supporting the Bolivarian government. Flores has been accused of [[nepotism]] with individuals claiming that several of her close relatives became employees of the National Assembly while she was in office.<ref name=ETcolombia>{{cite news|last1=Lares Martiz|first1=Valentina|title=Denuncian por nepotismo a la presidenta del Congreso venezolano, Cilia Flores|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-4378170|accessdate=12 August 2015|agency=[[El Tiempo (Colombia)]]|date=15 July 2008}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.talcualdigital.com/nota/visor.aspx?id=57908&tipo=AVA |title=Clan Flores fuera de la AN |access-date=30 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924113024/http://www.talcualdigital.com/nota/visor.aspx?id=57908&tipo=AVA |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[http://www.versionfinal.com.ve/wp/2008/05/30/es-falso-que-tenga-muchos-familiares-en-la-asamblea/ "Es falso que tenga muchos familiares en la Asamblea"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204072120/http://www.versionfinal.com.ve/wp/2008/05/30/es-falso-que-tenga-muchos-familiares-en-la-asamblea/ |date=4 February 2012 }} 30 May 2008.</ref>


Two nephews of Cilia Flores, Efraín Antonio Campos Flores and Francisco Flores de Freites, have also been involved in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, with some of their funds possibly assisting President Maduro's presidential campaign in the [[Venezuelan presidential election, 2013|2013 Venezuelan presidential election]] and potentially for the [[Venezuelan parliamentary election, 2015|2015 Venezuelan parliamentary elections]].<ref name=INSIGHT>{{cite web|last1=Yagoub|first1=Mimi|title=Venezuela Military Officials Piloted Drug Plane|url=http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/venezuela-military-officials-piloted-drug-plane|website=[[InSight Crime]]|accessdate=25 November 2015}}</ref><ref name=ABCnov19>{{cite news|last1=Blasco|first1=Emili J.|title=La Casa Militar de Maduro custodió el traslado de droga de sus sobrinos|url=http://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-casa-militar-maduro-custodio-traslado-droga-sobrinos-201511190248_noticia.html|accessdate=25 November 2015|agency=''[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]''|date=19 November 2015}}</ref> One informant stated that the two would often fly out of Terminal 4 of [[Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela)|Simon Bolivar Airport]], a terminal reserved for the President.<ref name=INSIGHT/><ref name=ABCnov19/>
Two nephews of Cilia Flores, Efraín Antonio Campos Flores and Francisco Flores de Freites, have also been involved in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, with some of their funds possibly assisting President Maduro's presidential campaign in the [[2013 Venezuelan presidential election]] and potentially for the [[2015 Venezuelan parliamentary election]]s.<ref name=INSIGHT>{{cite web|last1=Yagoub|first1=Mimi|title=Venezuela Military Officials Piloted Drug Plane|url=http://www.insightcrime.org/news-briefs/venezuela-military-officials-piloted-drug-plane|website=[[InSight Crime]]|accessdate=25 November 2015}}</ref><ref name=ABCnov19>{{cite news|last1=Blasco|first1=Emili J.|title=La Casa Militar de Maduro custodió el traslado de droga de sus sobrinos|url=http://www.abc.es/internacional/abci-casa-militar-maduro-custodio-traslado-droga-sobrinos-201511190248_noticia.html|accessdate=25 November 2015|agency=[[ABC (newspaper)|ABC]]|date=19 November 2015}}</ref> One informant stated that the two would often fly out of Terminal 4 of [[Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela)|Simon Bolivar Airport]], a terminal reserved for the President.<ref name=INSIGHT/><ref name=ABCnov19/> Walter Jacobo Gavidia Flores, Flores' son who is a Caracas judge, is being investigated for relations to drug trafficking as well.<ref name="INSIGHT" />


Carlos Aem Flores, a relative of Flores, has also been linked to her two nephews involved in drug trafficking.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2015-11-18 |title=¿Ser rico es malo?... pero este Flores se da la gran vida (FOTOS + Ferrari + Möet + Rolex) |url=https://notitotal.com/2015/11/18/ser-rico-es-malo-pero-este-flores-se-da-la-gran-vida-fotos-ferrari-moet-rolex/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=NotiTotal |language=es}}</ref><ref name="ENflores">{{cite news |date=17 November 2015 |title=Supuesto implicado en relación con sobrinos de Cilia Flores desmiente acusaciones |agency=[[El Nacional (Caracas)|El Nacional]] |url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Supuesto-implicado-Cilia-Flores-acusaciones_0_740326143.html |accessdate=30 November 2015}}</ref> {{cn span |text=Carlos Aem Flores, a self-described "producer", has been seen at various government facilities "working" close to Bolivarian officials such as President Maduro and the [[National Assembly (Venezuela)|National Assembly]]. |date=October 2023}} He has been seen sporting luxury brands of [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier]], [[Hublot]], [[Louis Vuitton]] and [[Rolex]] and driving a [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)#Transformers Special Edition|special Transformers edition Chevrolet Camaro]], a [[Ferrari F430]], a [[Mercedes-AMG]] and a [[Porsche 911 GT2]].<ref name=":1" />
Walter Jacobo Gavidia Flores, Flores' son who is a Caracas judge, is being investigated for relations to drug trafficking as well.<ref name=INSIGHT/> Flores' son, whose last salary through 2015 was less than $1,000, made multiple international trips in 2015 and 2016 on private flights costing approximately $20,000 per trip. Gavidia Flores spent most of his time in the United States, though he also took chartered flights to France, Germany, Malta and Spain.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hijo de Cilia Flores pasa largas temporadas en los Estados Unidos|url=https://www.lapatilla.com/site/2017/01/12/hijo-de-cilia-flores-pasa-largas-temporadas-en-los-estados-unidos/|accessdate=13 January 2017|work=[[La Patilla]]|date=12 January 2017}}</ref>


According to journalist Maibort Petit, Flores' son, Walter Jacob Gavidia Flores, whose last salary through 2015 was less than $1,000, made multiple international trips in 2015 and 2016 on private flights costing approximately $20,000 per trip. Gavidia Flores spent most of his time in the United States, though he also took chartered flights to France, Germany, Malta and Spain.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petit |first=Maibort |date=11 January 2017 |title=Hijo de Cilia Flores pasa largas temporadas en los Estados Unidos |language=es |work=Venezuela Política |url=https://www.venezuelapolitica.info/hijo-de-cilia-flores-pasa-largas/}}</ref>
Carlos Aem Flores, a relative of Flores, has also been linked to her two nephews involved in drug trafficking.<ref name=LPflores>{{cite news|title=Su ídolo decía que "ser rico es malo"… pero este Flores se da la gran vida (FOTOS + Ferrari + Möet + Rolex)|url=http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2015/11/16/su-idolo-decia-que-ser-rico-es-malo-pero-este-flores-se-da-la-gran-vida-fotos-ferrari-moet-rolex/|accessdate=30 November 2015|agency=[[La Patilla]]|date=16 November 2015}}</ref><ref name=ENflores>{{cite news|title=Supuesto implicado en relación con sobrinos de Cilia Flores desmiente acusaciones|url=http://www.el-nacional.com/politica/Supuesto-implicado-Cilia-Flores-acusaciones_0_740326143.html|accessdate=30 November 2015|agency=''[[El Nacional (Caracas)|El Nacional]]''|date=17 November 2015}}</ref> Carlos Aem Flores, a self-described "producer", has been seen at various government facilities "working" close to Bolivarian officials such as President Maduro and the [[National Assembly (Venezuela)|National Assembly]].<ref name=LPflores/> He has been seen sporting luxury brands of [[Cartier (jeweler)|Cartier]], [[Hublot]], [[Louis Vuitton]] and [[Rolex]] and driving a [[Chevrolet Camaro (fifth generation)#Transformers Special Edition|special Transformers edition Chevrolet Camaro]], a [[Ferrari F430]], a [[Mercedes-AMG]] and a [[Porsche 911 GT2]].<ref name=LPflores/>


On 14 March 2015 at the wedding of Jose Zalt, a Syrian-Venezuelan businessman that owns the clothing brand [[Wintex]], Maduro's son Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra was seen being showered with American dollars at the gathering in the luxurious Gran Melia Hotel in Caracas.<ref name=FOXson/> The incident caused outrage among Venezuelans who believed this to be hypocritical of President Maduro, especially since many Venezuelans were experiencing hardships due to the poor state of the economy and due to the President's public denouncements of [[capitalism]].<ref name=FOXson>{{cite news|title=Venezuelan president's son, Nicolas Maduro Jr., showered in dollar bills as economy collapses|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/03/19/venezuelan-president-son-nicolas-maduro-jr-showered-in-dollar-bills-as-economy/|accessdate=20 March 2015|agency=[[Fox News Latino]]|date=19 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=El hijo de Nicolás Maduro bailó bajo una lluvia de dólares en una fiesta|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1777238-el-hijo-de-nicolas-maduro-bailo-bajo-una-lluvia-de-dolares-en-una-fiesta|accessdate=20 March 2015|agency=[[La Nación]]|date=18 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Polémica por un video del hijo de Maduro en el que baila entre billetes|url=http://www.infobae.com/2015/03/17/1716450-polemica-un-video-del-hijo-maduro-el-que-baila-billetes|accessdate=20 March 2015|agency=[[Infobae]]|date=17 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=RAZON>{{cite news|title=Hijo de Maduro baila bajo lluvia de billetes|url=http://www.razon.com.mx/spip.php?article252678|accessdate=22 March 2015|agency=[[La Razón (México)|La Razón]]|date=16 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=En video: el hijo de Nicolás Maduro baila en una 'lluvia' de billetes|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/video-hijo-de-maduro-bailando-en-lluvia-de-billetes/15412495|accessdate=22 March 2015|agency=[[El Tiempo (Colombia)|El Tiempo]]|date=17 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Como el hijo de Maduro: Otros escándalos del chavismo|url=http://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/como-hijo-maduro-otros-escandalos-chavismo-noticia-1798254|accessdate=22 March 2015|agency=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]]|date=17 March 2015}}</ref>
On 14 March 2015 at the wedding of Jose Zalt, a Syrian-Venezuelan businessman that owns the clothing brand [[Wintex]], Maduro's son [[Nicolás Maduro Guerra|Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra]] was seen being showered with American dollars at the gathering in the luxurious {{ill|Gran Melia Hotel|es|Gran Meliá Caracas}} in Caracas.<ref name=FOXson/> The incident caused outrage among Venezuelans who believed this to be hypocritical of President Maduro, especially since many Venezuelans were experiencing hardships due to the poor state of the economy and due to the President's public denouncements of [[capitalism]].<ref name=FOXson>{{cite news|title=Venezuelan president's son, Nicolas Maduro Jr., showered in dollar bills as economy collapses|url=http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/03/19/venezuelan-president-son-nicolas-maduro-jr-showered-in-dollar-bills-as-economy/|accessdate=20 March 2015|agency=[[Fox News Latino]]|date=19 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321054912/http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2015/03/19/venezuelan-president-son-nicolas-maduro-jr-showered-in-dollar-bills-as-economy/|archive-date=21 March 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=El hijo de Nicolás Maduro bailó bajo una lluvia de dólares en una fiesta|url=http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1777238-el-hijo-de-nicolas-maduro-bailo-bajo-una-lluvia-de-dolares-en-una-fiesta|accessdate=20 March 2015|agency=[[La Nación]]|date=18 March 2015|archive-date=23 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323000623/http://www.lanacion.com.ar/1777238-el-hijo-de-nicolas-maduro-bailo-bajo-una-lluvia-de-dolares-en-una-fiesta|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Polémica por un video del hijo de Maduro en el que baila entre billetes|url=http://www.infobae.com/2015/03/17/1716450-polemica-un-video-del-hijo-maduro-el-que-baila-billetes|accessdate=20 March 2015|agency=[[Infobae]]|date=17 March 2015}}</ref><ref name=RAZON>{{cite news|title=Hijo de Maduro baila bajo lluvia de billetes|url=http://www.razon.com.mx/spip.php?article252678|accessdate=22 March 2015|agency=[[La Razón (México)|La Razón]]|date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091244/http://www.razon.com.mx/spip.php?article252678|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=En video: el hijo de Nicolás Maduro baila en una 'lluvia' de billetes|url=http://www.eltiempo.com/mundo/latinoamerica/video-hijo-de-maduro-bailando-en-lluvia-de-billetes/15412495|accessdate=22 March 2015|agency=[[El Tiempo (Colombia)|El Tiempo]]|date=17 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Como el hijo de Maduro: Otros escándalos del chavismo|url=http://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/como-hijo-maduro-otros-escandalos-chavismo-noticia-1798254|accessdate=22 March 2015|agency=[[El Comercio (Peru)|El Comercio]]|date=17 March 2015}}</ref>


In March 2017, ''[[Runrunes]]'' reported that [[Citgo]], a subsidiary of Venezuela's PDVSA, was loaned money to purchase two private aircraft for a total of $119 million. This occurred days after President Maduro called for assistance from the [[United Nations]], asking for help to combat medicine shortages. The first aircraft, a [[Bombardier Global 6000]] costing $54 million, would be used by Venezuela's Minister of Energy and Mines Nelson Martínez while the second aircraft, a [[Bombardier Global 8000]] costing $65 million, would be used by President Maduro after its development was finalized. CITGO would then deliver its [[Dassault Falcon 2000]] to be used by Maduro as well after receiving the Global 6000.<ref>{{cite news|title=No hay comida ni medicinas pero Maduro ordena compra de 2 aviones Bombardier por $ 119 millones para su uso|url=http://runrun.es/runrunes-de-bocaranda/runrunes/302303/no-hay-comida-ni-medicinas-pero-maduro-ordena-compra-de-2-aviones-bombardier-por-119-millones-para-su-uso.html|accessdate=28 March 2017|work=[[Runrunes]]|date=24 March 2017}}</ref>
In March 2017, ''[[Runrunes]]'' reported that [[Citgo]], a subsidiary of Venezuela's PDVSA, was loaned money to purchase two private aircraft for a total of $119 million. This occurred days after President Maduro called for assistance from the [[United Nations]], asking for help to combat medicine shortages. The first aircraft, a [[Bombardier Global 6000]] costing $54 million, would be used by Venezuela's Minister of Energy and Mines Nelson Martínez while the second aircraft, a [[Bombardier Global 8000]] costing $65 million, would be used by President Maduro after its development was finalized. CITGO would then deliver its [[Dassault Falcon 2000]] to be used by Maduro as well after receiving the Global 6000.<ref>{{cite news|title=No hay comida ni medicinas pero Maduro ordena compra de 2 aviones Bombardier por $ 119 millones para su uso|url=http://runrun.es/runrunes-de-bocaranda/runrunes/302303/no-hay-comida-ni-medicinas-pero-maduro-ordena-compra-de-2-aviones-bombardier-por-119-millones-para-su-uso.html|accessdate=28 March 2017|work=[[Runrunes]]|date=24 March 2017}}</ref>


== International ==
== International lifestyle ==
The bolibourgeoisie have enjoyed financial and entertainment benefits in [[Miami]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Panama]] and [[Spain]].<ref name=":0" /> Following investigations surrounding their acts of corruption, they have begun to move their assets to [[Turkey]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]].<ref name=":0" />
In Florida, Boliburgueses are favored clients of real estate businesses, private jet companies, luxury car dealers, fine horse breeders and luxury stores.<ref name=UNIaug2013/> According to a business owner of an electronics store at the [[Bal Harbour Shops]] of Miami Beach, the success of selling luxury electronics made of valuable metals and gems is attributed to boliburgueses, with some buying gold iPads and gold cellular phones priced between $8,000 and $45,000.<ref name=UNIaug2013/>


In Florida, bolibourgeois are favored clients of real estate businesses, private jet companies, luxury car dealers, fine horse breeders and luxury stores.<ref name="UNIaug2013" /> According to a business owner of an electronics store at the [[Bal Harbour Shops]] of Miami Beach, the success of selling luxury electronics made of valuable metals and gems is attributed to bolibourgeois, with some buying gold iPads and gold cellular phones priced between $8,000 and $45,000.<ref name="UNIaug2013" />
Boliburgueses had also bought luxury automobiles from foreign countries, including luxury Hummer SUVs and [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls Royce]] cars.<ref name=N24oct2007/>


Bolibourgeois had also bought luxury automobiles from foreign countries, including luxury Hummer SUVs and [[Rolls-Royce Motor Cars|Rolls-Royce]] cars.<ref name=N24oct2007/>
The scandal known as the ''[[Maletinazo]]'' also generated criticism in which the government of Chávez was alleged to be sending state oil money from PDVSA to finance the political campaign of former president [[Cristina Fernández de Kirchner]] of Argentina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Otros boliburgueses caídos en desgracia|url=http://www.reportero24.com/2010/10/12/otros-boliburgueses-caidos-en-desgracia/|accessdate=4 June 2018|website=reportero24.com|date=12 October 2010|language=es}}</ref>

== Investigations ==
The United States and the [[Lima Group]] have led efforts to discover assets illegally acquired and held by the bolibourgeoisie.<ref name=":0" />

[[Alejandro Andrade]], who was appointed Minister of Finance by President Chávez, was accused of using public funds by opposition deputy [[Ismael García]] and was described as participating in a "network of corruption" by the [[United States Department of State]].<ref name="UNIaug2013" /> In March 2018, it was reported that United States authorities were investigating Andrade for money laundering and funneling Venezuelan state funds into his own interests.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/venezuela-es/article207546504.html|title=Ex tesorero nacional de Chávez, Alejandro Andrade, en el centro de "enorme investigación" por lavado en EEUU|date=31 March 2018|work=[[El Nuevo Herald]]|accessdate=1 April 2018|language=es}}</ref> In November 2018, Andrade was sentenced to ten years in prison by the United States for accepting at least $1 billion in bribes and money laundering, resulting in having his assets seized.<ref name=":0" /> These assets included a mansion in Florida, a group of classic cars and over a dozen race horses.<ref name=":0" />

Husband and wife Adrían Velásquez and Claudia Patricia Díaz Guillén were arrested in Spain in 2018 for allegedly holding over $4 billion of Venezuelan state funds in [[Andorra]] and [[Seychelles]].<ref name=":0" /> Velásquez had served as a bodyguard for President Chávez while Diaz Guillén was the successor of Andrade serving as Minister of Finance.<ref name=":0" />

[[Raúl Gorrín]], who acquired Venezuelan media company [[Globovisión]] and turned it into a pro-Maduro network, was indicted for money laundering and bribery in November 2018.<ref name=":0" />

The scandal known as the ''[[Suitcase scandal|Maletinazo]]'' also generated criticism in which the government of Chávez was alleged to be sending state oil money from PDVSA to finance the political campaign of former president [[Cristina Fernández de Kirchner]] of Argentina.<ref>{{cite news|title=Otros boliburgueses caídos en desgracia|url=http://www.reportero24.com/2010/10/12/otros-boliburgueses-caidos-en-desgracia/|accessdate=4 June 2018|website=reportero24.com|date=12 October 2010|language=es}}</ref>

On 12 May 2022, Claudia Patricia Díaz Guillén was extradited from Spain to South Florida to face charges of accepting millions in bribes from a billionaire businessman.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article261408122.html|title=Ex-Venezuelan treasurer, accused of hiding millions in Miami, is extradited to South Florida|date=14 May 2022|work=[[Miami Herald]]|accessdate=14 May 2022|language=en}}</ref>


== See also ==
== See also ==
Line 55: Line 70:


'''General:'''
'''General:'''
* [[Blanquism]]
* [[Kleptocracy]]
* [[Kleptocracy]]
* [[Lumpenbourgeoisie]]
* [[Lumpenbourgeoisie]]
* [[Nomenklatura]]
* [[Redwashing]]
* [[Russian oligarch]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
==External links==
* [http://relojesdelchavismo.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-07-14T14:45:00-04:30&max-results=15#.VM30f8ad7ww Website showing luxury watches owned by Bolivarian officials]
*[http://relojesdelchavismo.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-07-14T14:45:00-04:30&max-results=15#.VM30f8ad7ww Website showing luxury watches owned by Bolivarian officials]

{{Hugo Chávez}}
{{Hugo Chávez}}
{{Chávez presidency}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boliburguesia}}
[[Category:Venezuelan society]]
[[Category:Bolivarian Revolution]]
[[Category:Bourgeoisie]]
[[Category:Corruption in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Corruption in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Hugo Chávez]]
[[Category:Hugo Chávez]]
[[Category:Oligarchy]]
[[Category:Society of Venezuela]]

Latest revision as of 23:55, 22 August 2024

Bolibourgeoisie (a portmanteau of the words Bolivarian and bourgeoisie) or Bolichicos (English: Boliboys) are terms describing the new bourgeois created by the Venezuelan government of Hugo Chávez and Chavismo, made up of people who became rich under the Chávez administration.[1][2][3] The term was coined by journalist Juan Carlos Zapata to "define the oligarchy that has developed under the protection of the Chávez government".[4][5]

Corruption among the bolibourgeoisie and Chávez-administration sympathizers has moved billions of dollars with the complicity of public officials, with some becoming rich under the guise of socialism.[6][7][8] Henry Ramos Allup, a leader of the opposition party Democratic Action, has said corruption in the financial industry and other sectors of Venezuela is tied to government officials of the Chávez administration.[7][9] Following the death of Chávez, the bolibourgeoisie became more powerful and held more influence over Venezuela during the presidency of Nicolás Maduro.[10] Many figures of the bolibourgeoisie were included in the Panama Papers scandal.[8]

Background

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When President Chávez attained power in Venezuela, he faced opposition from the traditional elite within the country.[8] Chávez created a new elite with access to dollars, which led to the establishment of a new wealthy class.[8] During Chávez's tenure, he seized thousands of properties and businesses while also reducing the footprint of foreign companies.[11] Venezuela's economy was then largely state-run and was operated by military officers that had their business and government affairs connected.[11]

Senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, Harold Trinkunas, stated that involving the military in business was "a danger", with Trinkunas explaining that the Venezuelan military "has the greatest ability to coerce people, into business like they have".[11] According to Bloomberg Business, "[b]y showering contracts on former military officials and pro-government business executives, Chávez put a new face on the system of patronage".[11]

Government officials

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Trump Towers in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida where relatives of the National Superintendent of Securities own a condominium

Alejandro Andrade, who was appointed Minister of Finance by President Chávez, owned a private Learjet 45 worth $10 million that was registered in Delaware.[12] He had invested in horses for show jumping, having a horse farm attributed to Andrade's firm in South Carolina. Alejandro's son, Emanuel Andrade, was also sponsored by his father and is a decorated show jumping jockey and owned multiple horses that are worth up to millions of dollars and studs that can earn profits from breeding.[12][13] Andrade also hired a public relations firm, Starting Gate Communications, an organization that specializes in equestrian activities for his son.[12]

The brother of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) politician Jesse Chacón, Arné Chacón, established a stable in Florida called Gadu Racing Stable Corp. and had horses compete in races in the United States until he was arrested in 2009. Brother of Ronald Sanchez the National Superintendent of Securities of Venezuela, Tomás Sánchez had a second stable, Rontos Racing Stable Corp., created that was signed by the same Gadu agent two months later. Ronald Sanchez was also accused of being involved in an extortion scandal in Miami by Venezuelan banker Thomas Vasquez in a testimony involving the case.[12] The Rontos Racing Stable Corp. also own an apartment in the Trump Towers Miami building that was quoted at $625,000 in 2011.[12][14]

Business executives

[edit]

Ricardo Fernández Barrueco was a "modest business entrepreneur" in Caracas until he helped Chávez circumvent oil strikes initiated in 2002. In less than ten years, he had gained a net worth of $1.6 billion and created a combination of about 70 companies. He owned businesses in Panama, Ecuador and the United States and bought multiple financial institutions in 2008. In Miami, Fernandez bought a luxury apartment in the Jade at Brickell Bay, a home to many celebrities. In late 2009, Fernandez was arrested in Venezuela for unknown reasons and his companies were nationalized by President Chávez. He was released from prison in May 2014.[12]

Víctor Vargas Irausquín is a Venezuelan banker who helped the Chávez administration raise funds to finance Venezuela's budget. According to the United States Department of State, Vargas was "said to have made a profit off those negotiations" and was described as "a banker whose star has risen greatly during the Chávez presidency". Vargas was also assisted by the Venezuelan government for abiding by their policies during the Venezuelan banking crisis of 2009–2010, when more than a half-dozen private banking institutions were closed.[12]

Chávez family

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A Bentley Continental Flying Spur similar to Chávez's
A Gulfstream G550 similar to one used by the Chávez family
Mercedes-Benz vehicles such as this are used by the Chávez, Maduro and Flores family

While Chávez was President, he stayed in the most expensive locations, with hundreds of individuals composing his entourage that included masseuses, chefs, tailors and Cuban doctors.[15] Chávez and his family also wore designer clothes along with high-end fashion accessories and jewelry, with brand names including Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana and Patek Philippe & Co. among others.[15][16] The daughters of Chávez have been seen with celebrities such as Justin Bieber, traveling internationally visiting places such as Disneyland Paris, New York City and Patagonia while also attending concerts of Madonna.[16]

Members of the Chávez family live in a suburb of Barinas, Chávez's birthplace, occupying a mansion that is enclosed off from the public by walls topped with razor wire.[17] Asdrubal Chávez, Chávez's cousin, is vice president of production and trade of PDVSA and is in charge of the majority of oil contracts.[16] Chávez's brothers also hold positions in the Venezuelan government.[16] Argenisis is the president of the state-run energy company CORPOELEC and Hannibal is the mayor of Sabaneta.[16] In 2004, the Drug Enforcement Administration estimates showed that the family was possibly worth $140 million.[16] In 2013, it was estimated that the Chávez family had liquid assets of about $550 million in multiple international bank accounts.[17]

Though Chávez denounced hypocritical socialists and criticized those who bought luxury vehicles such as Hummers, he and his family acquired multiple vehicles during his presidency,[16][18][19] including aircraft such as the Bombardier Challenger 605 and Gulfstream G550[20] and automobiles like the Bentley Mulsanne and Chevrolet LUV D-Max as well as multiple Hummers and Mercedes-Benz vehicles.[16][21]

It is estimated that the Chávez family owns 17 estates totaling more than 100,000 acres.[17] Each estate cost between $400,000 and $700,000, with the estates having their own roads.[16] According to state legislator and Chávez critic Wilmer Azuaje, members of Chávez's family live in mansions in Alto Barinas and children of the family have their own waiting staff in their school's dining hall.[17]

Maduro and Flores families

[edit]

The families of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores have benefitted from supporting the Bolivarian government. Flores has been accused of nepotism with individuals claiming that several of her close relatives became employees of the National Assembly while she was in office.[22][23][24]

Two nephews of Cilia Flores, Efraín Antonio Campos Flores and Francisco Flores de Freites, have also been involved in illicit activities such as drug trafficking, with some of their funds possibly assisting President Maduro's presidential campaign in the 2013 Venezuelan presidential election and potentially for the 2015 Venezuelan parliamentary elections.[25][26] One informant stated that the two would often fly out of Terminal 4 of Simon Bolivar Airport, a terminal reserved for the President.[25][26] Walter Jacobo Gavidia Flores, Flores' son who is a Caracas judge, is being investigated for relations to drug trafficking as well.[25]

Carlos Aem Flores, a relative of Flores, has also been linked to her two nephews involved in drug trafficking.[27][28] Carlos Aem Flores, a self-described "producer", has been seen at various government facilities "working" close to Bolivarian officials such as President Maduro and the National Assembly.[citation needed] He has been seen sporting luxury brands of Cartier, Hublot, Louis Vuitton and Rolex and driving a special Transformers edition Chevrolet Camaro, a Ferrari F430, a Mercedes-AMG and a Porsche 911 GT2.[27]

According to journalist Maibort Petit, Flores' son, Walter Jacob Gavidia Flores, whose last salary through 2015 was less than $1,000, made multiple international trips in 2015 and 2016 on private flights costing approximately $20,000 per trip. Gavidia Flores spent most of his time in the United States, though he also took chartered flights to France, Germany, Malta and Spain.[29]

On 14 March 2015 at the wedding of Jose Zalt, a Syrian-Venezuelan businessman that owns the clothing brand Wintex, Maduro's son Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra was seen being showered with American dollars at the gathering in the luxurious Gran Melia Hotel [es] in Caracas.[30] The incident caused outrage among Venezuelans who believed this to be hypocritical of President Maduro, especially since many Venezuelans were experiencing hardships due to the poor state of the economy and due to the President's public denouncements of capitalism.[30][31][32][33][34][35]

In March 2017, Runrunes reported that Citgo, a subsidiary of Venezuela's PDVSA, was loaned money to purchase two private aircraft for a total of $119 million. This occurred days after President Maduro called for assistance from the United Nations, asking for help to combat medicine shortages. The first aircraft, a Bombardier Global 6000 costing $54 million, would be used by Venezuela's Minister of Energy and Mines Nelson Martínez while the second aircraft, a Bombardier Global 8000 costing $65 million, would be used by President Maduro after its development was finalized. CITGO would then deliver its Dassault Falcon 2000 to be used by Maduro as well after receiving the Global 6000.[36]

International lifestyle

[edit]

The bolibourgeoisie have enjoyed financial and entertainment benefits in Miami, Nicaragua, Panama and Spain.[8] Following investigations surrounding their acts of corruption, they have begun to move their assets to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.[8]

In Florida, bolibourgeois are favored clients of real estate businesses, private jet companies, luxury car dealers, fine horse breeders and luxury stores.[12] According to a business owner of an electronics store at the Bal Harbour Shops of Miami Beach, the success of selling luxury electronics made of valuable metals and gems is attributed to bolibourgeois, with some buying gold iPads and gold cellular phones priced between $8,000 and $45,000.[12]

Bolibourgeois had also bought luxury automobiles from foreign countries, including luxury Hummer SUVs and Rolls-Royce cars.[19]

Investigations

[edit]

The United States and the Lima Group have led efforts to discover assets illegally acquired and held by the bolibourgeoisie.[8]

Alejandro Andrade, who was appointed Minister of Finance by President Chávez, was accused of using public funds by opposition deputy Ismael García and was described as participating in a "network of corruption" by the United States Department of State.[12] In March 2018, it was reported that United States authorities were investigating Andrade for money laundering and funneling Venezuelan state funds into his own interests.[37] In November 2018, Andrade was sentenced to ten years in prison by the United States for accepting at least $1 billion in bribes and money laundering, resulting in having his assets seized.[8] These assets included a mansion in Florida, a group of classic cars and over a dozen race horses.[8]

Husband and wife Adrían Velásquez and Claudia Patricia Díaz Guillén were arrested in Spain in 2018 for allegedly holding over $4 billion of Venezuelan state funds in Andorra and Seychelles.[8] Velásquez had served as a bodyguard for President Chávez while Diaz Guillén was the successor of Andrade serving as Minister of Finance.[8]

Raúl Gorrín, who acquired Venezuelan media company Globovisión and turned it into a pro-Maduro network, was indicted for money laundering and bribery in November 2018.[8]

The scandal known as the Maletinazo also generated criticism in which the government of Chávez was alleged to be sending state oil money from PDVSA to finance the political campaign of former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of Argentina.[38]

On 12 May 2022, Claudia Patricia Díaz Guillén was extradited from Spain to South Florida to face charges of accepting millions in bribes from a billionaire businessman.[39]

See also

[edit]

General:

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "EEUU congela mansión vinculada al testaferro de los hijastros de Maduro en caso de "los Bolichicos"". El Nuevo Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  2. ^ Valery, Yolanda (2 December 2009). "Boliburguesía: nueva clase venezolana" (in Spanish). BBC Mundo. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  3. ^ Romero, Simon (16 February 2010). "Purging Loyalists, Chávez Tightens His Inner Circle". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Auge y caída de un boliburgués" (in Spanish). talcualdigital.com. 24 November 2009. Archived from the original on 25 November 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2010. La boliburguesía –un término acuñado por el periodista Juan Carlos Zapata para definir a la oligarquía que ha crecido bajo protección del gobierno chavista– consituye hoy una "nueva clase social" de empresarios y políticos que se han servido de la falta de control del Parlamento, Fiscalía y Contraloría, para enriquecerse y hacer toda suerte de negocios, algunas veces de dudosa solvencia moral
  5. ^ "Los 'bolliburgueses', la nueva casta venezolana surgida de la revolución". lainformacion.com. 18 October 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Henry Ramos Allup: Corrupción millonaria de boliburguesía con la complicidad de funcionarios" (in Spanish). informe21.com. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  7. ^ a b "Henry Ramos: Sin "bolifuncionarios" no habría "boliburguesía"". El Nacional (in Spanish). 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Youkee, Mat (18 February 2019). "Panama Papers 'tightened the noose' on offshore assets of Maduro's inner circle". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
  9. ^ "Ramos Allup denunció a 11 empresarios pertenecientes "boliburguesía". Globovision (in Spanish). 30 November 2009. Archived from the original on 4 February 2010.
  10. ^ Corrales, Javier; Penfold, Michael (2014). Dragon in the tropics : hugo chavez and the political economy of revolution in venezuela (Second ed.). [S.l.]: Brookings Institution Press. p. xii. ISBN 978-0815725930.
  11. ^ a b c d Smith, Michael; Kurmanaev, Anatoly (12 August 2014). "Venezuela Sees Chavez Friends Rich After His Death Amid Poverty". Bloomberg Business. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Reyes, Gerardo; Ocando, Cato (4 August 2013). "Boliburgueses y el encanto del Imperio". Univision. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  13. ^ "EMANUEL ANDRADE". Starting Gate Communications. Archived from the original on 16 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  14. ^ "Property Search Summary Report: 15811 Collins Ave Unit 2305" (PDF). Miami-Dade County Office of the Property Appraiser. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  15. ^ a b Clark, A.C. (2009). The revolutionary has no clothes Hugo Chávez's Bolivarian farce. New York: Encounter Books. p. 65. ISBN 978-1594034459.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Los bienes que habría dejado Chávez". Semana. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  17. ^ a b c d Baverstock, Alasdair; Foster, Peter (14 April 2013). "Venezuela: the wealth of Chavez family exposed". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  18. ^ Romero, Simon (30 October 2007). "Venezuela's Gas Prices Remain Low, but the Political Costs May Be Rising". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  19. ^ a b Peregil, Francisco (10 October 2007). "'Llegó el Presidente y mandó a parar'". Noticias24 (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 4 March 2012.
  20. ^ "Hugo Chavez had a millionaire empire". Univision. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  21. ^ Rueda, Alfredo. "Los coches de Hugo Chávez". Auto Bild. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  22. ^ Lares Martiz, Valentina (15 July 2008). "Denuncian por nepotismo a la presidenta del Congreso venezolano, Cilia Flores". El Tiempo (Colombia). Retrieved 12 August 2015.
  23. ^ "Clan Flores fuera de la AN". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  24. ^ "Es falso que tenga muchos familiares en la Asamblea" Archived 4 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine 30 May 2008.
  25. ^ a b c Yagoub, Mimi. "Venezuela Military Officials Piloted Drug Plane". InSight Crime. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  26. ^ a b Blasco, Emili J. (19 November 2015). "La Casa Militar de Maduro custodió el traslado de droga de sus sobrinos". ABC. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  27. ^ a b "¿Ser rico es malo?... pero este Flores se da la gran vida (FOTOS + Ferrari + Möet + Rolex)". NotiTotal (in Spanish). 18 November 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Supuesto implicado en relación con sobrinos de Cilia Flores desmiente acusaciones". El Nacional. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2015.
  29. ^ Petit, Maibort (11 January 2017). "Hijo de Cilia Flores pasa largas temporadas en los Estados Unidos". Venezuela Política (in Spanish).
  30. ^ a b "Venezuelan president's son, Nicolas Maduro Jr., showered in dollar bills as economy collapses". Fox News Latino. 19 March 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  31. ^ "El hijo de Nicolás Maduro bailó bajo una lluvia de dólares en una fiesta". La Nación. 18 March 2015. Archived from the original on 23 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  32. ^ "Polémica por un video del hijo de Maduro en el que baila entre billetes". Infobae. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  33. ^ "Hijo de Maduro baila bajo lluvia de billetes". La Razón. 16 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  34. ^ "En video: el hijo de Nicolás Maduro baila en una 'lluvia' de billetes". El Tiempo. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  35. ^ "Como el hijo de Maduro: Otros escándalos del chavismo". El Comercio. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  36. ^ "No hay comida ni medicinas pero Maduro ordena compra de 2 aviones Bombardier por $ 119 millones para su uso". Runrunes. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
  37. ^ "Ex tesorero nacional de Chávez, Alejandro Andrade, en el centro de "enorme investigación" por lavado en EEUU". El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). 31 March 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  38. ^ "Otros boliburgueses caídos en desgracia". reportero24.com (in Spanish). 12 October 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  39. ^ "Ex-Venezuelan treasurer, accused of hiding millions in Miami, is extradited to South Florida". Miami Herald. 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
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