Eduardo Capriles isn’t a politician, but his last name carries weight. Cousin of former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles Radonski and half-brother of the controversial Armando "Coco" Capriles, Eduardo has quietly built a career from shady business deals, drug-fueled parties, corrupt government contracts, and now—unsurprisingly—he’s under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice after a private jet linked to Nicolás Maduro and Alex Saab was seized with forged registration numbers.
If his name doesn't ring a bell, it's because Eduardo Capriles has spent years mastering the art of staying under the radar. But leaked documents, jet trails, and scandalous parties say otherwise.
The COVID Party King
Back in 2020, while Venezuela was in strict lockdown, Capriles was partying in Los Roques and Altamira with models, drugs, and helicopters. One infamous event—dubbed the "coronarumba"—ended in arrests. Among those named was Jorge Eduardo Echenagucia, one of the party's hosts and a close business partner of Capriles.
Echenagucia wasn’t just a party animal—he had already been arrested for pink cocaine and had previously threatened police officers on camera. At these gatherings, authorities seized weapons, ecstasy, digital scales, and undocumented foreign women. Meanwhile, Venezuela was mourning its first COVID deaths and struggling to find aspirin.
As usual, Capriles came out unscathed. He quickly distanced himself by selling his share of the infamous party boat to Jean-Pierre Fernández, erasing the paper trail. Or so he thought.
Deals with the Reds: PDVSA, Bariven, Cadivi, SUCRE
Capriles was knee-deep in dirty deals long before the pandemic. He’s been linked to questionable import operations through the SUCRE exchange system, designed to launder money through phony trade deals with friendly countries like Ecuador. He also had contracts with Bariven and the CVG, two state-run giants in the oil and metals sectors.
The trick? Leveraging insider connections in PDVSA to get preferential access to foreign currency. According to sources, he operated hand-in-hand with Alfredo Lovera Reyes, another known figure with deep ties in Venezuelan state businesses.
At one point, Capriles was even on the payroll at PDVSA’s Loss Prevention Unit (PCP)—a security role, ironically assigned to a man neck-deep in corruption allegations. That’s Venezuela for you.
The Falcon 200 EX and U.S. Justice on His Tail
In July 2025, Capriles’ name exploded across news outlets. He was linked to a Falcon 200 EX jet with fake registration (T7-ESPRT) that was seized in the Dominican Republic. According to intelligence reports, the plane had been used by Nicolás Maduro, Alex Saab, and the Rodríguez brothers.
Was it his plane? Was he fronting for someone else? Reports point to him being involved in the purchase via intermediaries like Six G Aviation. Now, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating him for money laundering, illicit use of assets, and corruption links with the Maduro regime.
The jet crisscrossed Latin America and the Caribbean. Too much mileage for a so-called “low-profile businessman.”
The Real Question: How Does He Keep Operating?
Despite the scandals, Eduardo Capriles lives comfortably in Miami. There, he continues to seek shady contracts, using his network of ex-officials and his ties to the Cartel de Vargas. In Panama, he tried to invest through a legal firm—but was caught submitting forged documents to access investment funds. Once discovered, he fled to Spain, where sources say he’s hiding out in a quiet northern town.
Love Affairs and Public Scandals
Capriles isn’t just known for dirty business. His personal life also draws attention. He famously canceled his wedding with TV host Patricia Zavala via text message, causing a storm in Venezuelan celebrity media. But that was only the beginning.
He’s long rumored to have a secret relationship with model Oriana Luchesse—even though she’s the official partner of Jorge Giménez Ochoa, president of Venezuela’s Football Federation. A love triangle worthy of a Netflix mini-series.
Contractors say Capriles has a reputation for being greedy and manipulative. His catchphrase? "How much is in it for me?" He delays payments, demands commissions, and if you complain—he disappears. He’s not a politician, but acts just like one.
@lombardoven Otro coleccionista de muñecas es Eduardo Capriles. Mientras hace todo tipo de negocios con el régimen venezolano desde Miami, ha estado de novio con Patricia Zavala, Oriana Lucchese y Gaby Espino #fyp #venezuela ♬ Latin Lover (ft. Rubén Blades) (feat. Rubén Blades) - Malanga