Vladimir Padrino, an endless soldier who pushes Venezuelan generals and colonels to suicide

Mario Puzo I would smile knowing the existence of someone with this family name and this singular power. Godfather This is the name of the most influential commander of the apocalyptic Venezuela who proposes Nicolás Maduro. It is he who is trying to contain more than a thousand generals and colonels who want to break ranks and put an end to agony. Doubt: he fears that for him there will be no return.

Vladimir Padrino López, so his full name was born in 1963 to Caracas and since 2014, concentrates almost absolute allocations, only comparable to those of the dictator and those of Diosdado Cabello. That year, he was appointed minister of Popular power for defense. He remains faithful to his current boss, as he used to do. Hugo Chavez. And he stays in the position of Strategic Operational Commander of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces. A pompous title that allows him to be the containment dam military forward dissatisfied.

"If the sponsor slammed, it would be a deadly blow for the dictatorship", repeats a retired general of Caracas. He prefers anonymity: he understands that this is the only way to stay safe in the devastated country.

The military maximum is displayed, before the rest, faithful. He says that he is a "privileged" because he was hit by the sanctions of the United States September 25th. This warning will prevent him from enjoying his declared and incalculable wealth. Also from the one who made it dirty and that Washington located where it is hidden.

When he heard about the US government's decision, he launched a provocation. He did it via Twitter, for the gallery: "I ordered that the complete list of general officers and admirals of the FANB (National Bolivarian Armed Forces) be sent to the Treasury Department to facilitate the task of "sanctioning" in installments the revolutionary defenders of the Constitution and the national sovereigntyThe irony did not fall well between his subordinates.

With them, Godfather uses a weapon that he learned in other latitudes: the psychological. He tries to convince them – without being at all – that his commitment to the dictatorship has reached such a scale that neither the White House nor the next transitional government Venezuela they will have pity for their future and their property. It lets them thinkthey would never be acquitted. With that echo in their heads, they go home. Hair He also tries to contain them. The generals hesitate. Colonels and captains, much more.

The time to jump in the ranks that will eventually prevail Venezuela He reaches his limit. The army that stays next to Maduro and his entourage will be prosecuted for very serious crimes, among which stand out human rights violations and drug trafficking. "The diet is like an overripe apple: it will fall at any moment", predicts the same soldier who doubled the uniform a few years ago but who has ties to his fellow runners and confides his sorrows to him.

The questions support your insomnia. Especially those who now see (or perhaps never) an opportunity that can disappear. The same thing revolves around your boss's head. What would happen if Juan Guaidó, as acting president, is starting to give specific instructions to the military? What could happen if he appointed a new commander-in-chief and a renovated dome? As soon as possible, the owner of the National Assembly will occupy Miraflores and the consequences of not obeying his orders by turning his back on the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela they would lead to criminal prosecution for treason, to which would be added the torture inflicted on the opponents, the murders and the drug trafficking. All these fees will be easy to check.

The great general of the Venezuelan aviation Francisco Estéban Yánez Rodríguez recognized Guaidó as interim president. He did it on February 2nd. Nearly 600 officers and NCOs have joined. That day, the chief pilot stated that 90% of the military were not satisfied with the plan. Godfather he is conscious … whereas he thinks he hears a recurring sound in his head: TIC Tac.

Among the uniforms annotated in the list of deserters to the dictatorship is someone who was about to end up in a North American jail: Hugo Armando Carvajal BarriosFormer Army General and former Director of Military Intelligence. For years, he was a true puppeteer. Next to Chávez He made and unmade at will and woven networks – and companies – with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) Until July 2014, it has halved. He was charged with drug trafficking and arrested at aruba. He was quoted by some as "Pablo Escobar of Venezuela"However, the campaign has saved him in time." A diplomatic shift prevented him from being extradited from this island. United States. He returned to Venezuela as a hero, anointed by Maduro and the generals.

But a few weeks ago – in conflict with the regime – he declared himself in rebellion. Knowing the time and the moods of his comrades, he is aware that the end could be rushed. He is also aware that the Castroites must be set aside for the dictator to fall. "Believe me, if we do not finish with the Cubans, the FAN will not be able to fulfill its duties."he said asking" courage "for Godfather "Put some ballshe slammed. From an unknown exile, he is alert to any movement that could be accomplished by the rest of his former comrades.

In addition, the infiltration of G2 Cuba has generated a state of terror characteristic of a gulag in each barracks. Mistrust of the partner makes it very difficult to communicate discontent. Anyone who wishes to raise their voice is immediately reported.

Academic and with extensive training, the generalissimo He knows how each of the soldiers and high commanders think. He is aware of your concerns and your needs. Also your weaknesses. Was the 55-year-old serving in all the command positions inherent in diplomas, an advantage over others of his own generation?.

But in addition, the weapons are very well kept. Their access is almost impossible for someone who wants to rise up against dictatorship. Since Chávez The weaponry was made with absolute control of the nation and ammunition is only granted when a NCO is on duty. How to get up without weapons? How to get up if it is the boss who orders it? The godfather is the one who today has the power to distribute the keys of these hangars filled with rifles.

He and the other senior management and middle management are fully aware that the month of April will be essential in terms of definitions. At bond expiries of the oil company Citgo -The obsession with Russia- the social climate should be added, which could then be further deteriorated: the shortage of energy, food and remedies will reach dramatic levels. More considering that Venezuela it is a net importer of supplies and the currencies to be able to buy them will hardly enter a skeletal pocket. For the worse: this pocket will be looted.

How will the regime prevent a new implosion from striking even those who make up its barracks? How will Padrino arrest his colonels, captains and soldiers?

Plus: Generals know that there is remote security for Madurohe will only understand his circle and part of the central power, among those who could not or could not include their own Defense Minister. The rest of the commanders would remain without a shield in a thirsty Venezuela. The history of Latin America has not been pious with the uniforms of the 20th century. It will not be with the socialism of XXI either.

The United States They believe, however, that the military is the only institution with which we can still rely and that it can guarantee a moderately orderly transition to full democracy. Despite the irrepressible corruption of the high command, a line remains ignorant of the crimes committed by their superiors with Cubans.

Guaidó will need time to separate straw from wheat. Instead, the Air Force and the Marine They seem not to be so reliable. There is evidence that the planes of both weapons were very useful for badaults on Maduro and Hair. And the sea would have been too quiet for boats and white cargo boats.

As a chess player who plans moves, Godfather has already embraced the desperation of his own family, especially his children Michell and Yarazetd. He tried to shelter them first in Spain then in Costa Rica, where the alarms went off and closed. Today, they would live in Madrid But times have been shortened. No country would commit to giving refuge to those who have committed crimes against humanity in Venezuela. Neither they nor their families. Much less take care of your money.

"The window closes"he said a few days ago John Bolton, advisor White House for national security affairs. Godfather known. Your subordinates too.