Los Enanos

Los Enanos
Maikel Moreno
Maikel Moreno, one of the most prominent alleged members.
Founded2006
Founding locationVenezuela
Years active2006–present
TerritoryVenezuela
EthnicityVenezuelan
MembershipAround 15 members
LeaderUnknown
ActivitiesJudicial corruption, protection of drug traffickers, obstruction of justice
Notable membersMaikel Moreno, Luis Velásquez Alvaray, Mariano Díaz Ramírez, Gustavo Perdomo

Los Enanos is a judicial group in Venezuela whose existence was denounced after the assassination of prosecutor Danilo Anderson, who was part of the Public Ministry and was investigating the Puente Llaguno events. The organization has been mentioned in several corruption cases.[1]

History

In early 2006, magistrate of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice Luis Velásquez Alvaray accused Vice President José Vicente Rangel, Minister of Interior Jesse Chacón, and President of the National Assembly Nicolás Maduro of knowing the members and leading a large criminal judicial group known as “Los Enanos.” According to Velásquez Alvaray, the group held real power in the Palace of Justice and mainly operated to protect drug traffickers.[2] Velásquez Alvaray declared that at least fifteen judges were part of the group, including Maikel Moreno.[3][4]

Besides the accusations, Velásquez Alvaray also denounced banker Arné Chacón for pressuring him to have the judicial system deposit funds in his Bankinvest bank and accused some of his colleagues in the Supreme Tribunal of Justice of having ties to drug trafficking.[5] Jesse Chacón, Minister of the Interior and brother of Arné Chacón, accused Velásquez Alvaray of embezzling money through commissions and overpricing in real estate acquisitions for the tribunal. Some observers argued that the accusation may have been a political maneuver to remove a prominent member of one of the government factions.[6]

In 2006, Alvaray was removed from his position as judge. He attributed his dismissal to the group.[2] The complaint against Maikel Moreno was later dismissed by the prosecution.[7] Marisela Caraballo Anderson, sister of prosecutor Danilo Anderson, denounced obstruction of justice and irregularities that attempted to derail the investigation into her brother's murder, which included identifying the Banda de los Enanos.[8] Among those also accused of being part of the group are Mariano Díaz Ramírez and Gustavo Perdomo.[9][10] The group has also been accused of hiding files and criminal records in exchange for large commissions.[10] By 2021, media outlets reported that the Banda de los Enanos continued to operate.[11][12][13][14]

References

  1. ↑ "Por qué son polémicos los 8 magistrados del TSJ a quienes EE UU sancionó". BBC Mundo. El Nacional. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 Perdomo, Rogelio (2015). UNA EVALUACIÓN DE LA REFORMA JUDICIAL EN VENEZUELA (PDF) (Report). Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "Estos son los 13 magistrados impugnados por la Fiscal General de la República". Runrunes. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  4. ↑ "Nueva Asamblea puede recuperar la autonomía de los poderes públicos". El Nacional. 23 November 2015. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  5. ↑ "LVA sobre Ciudad Lebrún: "Mi actuación oportuna evitó un daño a la nación"". Armando.info. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  6. ↑ Coronel, Gustavo (27 November 2006). "Corrupción, administración deficiente y abuso de poder en la Venezuela de Hugo Chávez". El Cato. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  7. ↑ Castro, Maolis (25 February 2017). "Un expolicía condenado por asesinato, nuevo presidente del Supremo de Venezuela". Venezuela. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  8. ↑ Calzadilla, Tamoa (18 November 2014). "10 años de impunidad en el homicidio de Danilo Anderson (Video)". Runrunes. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  9. ↑ "Mariano Díaz Ramírez". Poderopedia Venezuela. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  10. 1 2 "Globovisión". IPS Venezuela. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  11. ↑ "¡Un problema "groso"! Ahora hay dos grupos con el mismo nombre y se cruzan amenazas de muerte". Minuto Uno. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  12. ↑ Fuentes, Camilo (20 December 2019). ""Banda de los enanos", empresarios corruptos y "muñecas de la mafia": los pasajeros "y pasajeras" del avión que se estrelló en Charallave". Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "La fortuna oculta de la 'banda de los enanos', los cómplices de Maduro". El Tiempo. 12 January 2019. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  14. ↑ "Advierten que Banda los Enanos sigue operando en el sistema de justicia #LuisFelipeColina #Confidenciales #Carrusel". La Razón (in Spanish). 24 January 2021. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
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