After a thorough two-year investigation, Chilean prosecutors have accused Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's Interior Minister and a prominent figure in the authoritarian regime, of orchestrating a plot to assassinate exiled Venezuelan lieutenant Ronald Ojeda in Santiago, Chile. The allegations claim Cabello enlisted the notorious criminal group, Tren de Aragua, for the task.
This revelation was made public through a report by Noticias Caracol, which detailed the formal charges filed by Chilean authorities just before the trials of 34 individuals associated with the gang commenced.
Héctor Barros, the regional metropolitan prosecutor for southern Chile, stated unequivocally, "We have established that Diosdado Cabello was responsible for the negotiations and the payment arrangements."
Juan Carlos Manríquez, representing the Ojeda family, elaborated in court, "The Chilean prosecutors have maintained that this group was contracted, negotiated, and effectively utilized as criminal agents with funds purportedly provided by Diosdado Cabello from outside Venezuela and Chile."
The Origins of a Deadly Plot
The case dates back to December 13, 2023, when Ojeda met with ex-military official Ángelo Heredia, student leader Pablo Parada, and other opposition figures in Cúcuta, Colombia, to strategize on toppling President Maduro. However, Venezuelan military intelligence (DGCIM) reportedly collaborated with the ELN to kidnap them on Colombian soil. Heredia was handed over to Venezuelan forces and remains incarcerated, while Parada avoided capture by missing the meeting. Ojeda escaped and eventually settled in Santiago, Chile, after a perilous journey through Ecuador and Peru.
On February 21, 2024, members of Tren de Aragua, disguised as Chilean police, abducted Ojeda from his home in the Independencia district. His body was discovered days later, suffocated and buried under concrete in Maipú, in what Manríquez described as a "highly sophisticated logistical operation, unprecedented in Chile."
International Implications and Arrests
The Chilean investigation traced the operation through Colombia, Costa Rica, the United States, and Chile, identifying numerous participants. Key suspects Luis Alfredo Carrillo (alias "Gocho") and Dayonis Orosco (alias "El Botija") were apprehended by Interpol in Colombia. However, extradition faced delays under President Gustavo Petro, proceeding only weeks before the trial was set to begin. Colombian prosecutors, meanwhile, did not pursue an inquiry into the events on their territory.
Cabello's troubles extend beyond this case. The United States has placed a $25 million bounty on him for his alleged involvement in narcoterrorism, cocaine trafficking, and arms-related crimes. He is accused of being a leader within the Cartel of the Suns, a criminal network tied to the Venezuelan military. Global human rights organizations have also implicated him in various offenses inside Venezuela.
Despite the U.S. apprehending Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, Cabello retained his position as Interior Minister under interim President Delcy Rodríguez, continuing to exert influence over the regime's security apparatus.
Security expert Jairo Libreros from the Externado University of Colombia has remarked that the situation "poses serious challenges" for the interim government, adding, "Ultimately, the decision on any potential extradition will not rest with Miraflores or Delcy Rodríguez, but directly with Donald Trump."
Libreros concluded, "I believe Diosdado Cabello is acutely aware that his days are numbered and that this episode might be leveraged by the U.S. government to facilitate his capture and extradition, either to Chile or directly to the United States."
Frequently Asked Questions About Diosdado Cabello's Legal Troubles
Who is Diosdado Cabello?
Diosdado Cabello is Venezuela's Interior Minister and a key figure in the country's socialist regime, often regarded as one of the most powerful and feared individuals in Venezuela.
What is the Tren de Aragua?
The Tren de Aragua is a notorious criminal organization originating in Venezuela, involved in various illegal activities across Latin America.
Why is the United States interested in Diosdado Cabello?
The U.S. has accused Diosdado Cabello of narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and using firearms to support drug-related crimes, offering a substantial reward for information leading to his arrest.