Venezuela crisis: How Maduro 'spent THOUSANDS of state funds on Cuban rituals'

Source: UK Express

June 5, 2019 at 14:25

VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro allegedly spent thousands of state funds on religious rituals in Cuba, according to a former intelligence official.

Hugo Carvajal, former director of the country’s military intelligence, lashed out at Mr Maduro in an open letter. Responding to a claim from the Venezuelan ruler that he was dismissed for gross misconduct, Mr Carvajal made several explosive claims about the President’s religious beliefs and financial conduct. A staunch ally of former President Hugo Chavez, the same reverence was certainly not applied to the new leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

He wrote: "The people should also know that your religious sacrifice rituals in Cuba were paid by your minister of finance, who on at least one occasion sent a briefcase with $500,000 in cash to Havana in a PDVSA plane."

Mr Maduro was accused of performing Santeria rituals in Cuba while leaving ordinary citizens with desperate shortages back in Venezuela.

Santeria is a popular Cuban religion – literally meaning the “worship of saints” – that combines Roman Catholicism with elements of the Yoruba tradition.

Nicolas Maduro was accused of participating in Santiero rituals in Cuba (Image: GETTY)

Venezuela have enjoyed warm relations with Cuba in the past (Image: GETTY)

Mr Carvajal continued: “How dare you call yourself Christian when you follow any belief you come across?

“You are a devout Santero, follower of Sai Baba and who knows what other religion.

“I suppose that you must by some means justify all the atrocities you have committed against the Venezuelan people.”

Mr Maduro was raised as a Roman Catholic and claims to maintain his Christian beliefs – but some fear his relationship with Cuba is religious as well as political.