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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has accused the former Colombian government, under Iván Duque, of involvement in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse, according to a report by Caracol Radio. Maduro alleged that Duque’s administration used the controversial Pegasus spyware in a broader campaign to destabilize Venezuela and overthrow Colombia’s current president, Gustavo Petro.
According to the article, Maduro claimed that Pegasus, a powerful surveillance tool developed by Israel’s NSO Group, was used by the Colombian government to facilitate the killing of Moïse. He also suggested that the spyware is being used to target political leaders in both Venezuela and Colombia, posing a threat to regional stability.
Haiti Assassination Allegations
Maduro’s comments linked the July 2021 assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse to Colombian mercenaries, many of whom were arrested following the attack. He asserted that the mercenaries were connected to Colombia’s state apparatus under Duque and used Pegasus to coordinate the assassination. Maduro did not present specific evidence to support these claims but argued that the responsibility for the plot lies with Colombian actors who, he said, tried to implicate Venezuela in the killing.
Investigations into the assassination have confirmed the involvement of over 30 Colombian nationals, though official reports have not linked the plot directly to the Duque administration.
Claims of Political Destabilization
Maduro also accused Colombian right-wing factions and media outlets of leveraging Pegasus to carry out what he called “psychological warfare” against his government. He alleged that the spyware is part of an ongoing effort to undermine both his presidency and that of Gustavo Petro, Colombia’s first leftist president.
Maduro claimed that those who facilitated the purchase of Pegasus are now engaged in a plot to overthrow Petro while continuing to destabilize Venezuela. “This same group is trying to create violence and chaos in Venezuela,” he said.
Pegasus Spyware Controversy
Pegasus, a surveillance tool capable of extracting data from mobile phones without the user’s knowledge, has been at the center of numerous global controversies involving unauthorized spying on journalists, activists, and political leaders. The Colombian government under Duque has previously denied purchasing or using Pegasus, and former officials have rejected accusations of illegal surveillance.
Maduro’s accusations come as Pegasus remains a contentious issue in Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro himself has raised concerns over the software’s potential use against his administration, adding further political sensitivity to the matter.
International Context and Pressure
Maduro’s statements coincide with increasing international pressure on his government. At the United Nations General Assembly, countries such as the United States and Argentina called for a “democratic transition” in Venezuela following disputed elections in July. Venezuela’s opposition has rejected the election results, claiming fraud, and protests following the vote have resulted in deaths and arrests.
While Maduro continues to face scrutiny over his government’s handling of the elections, countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico have adopted a more neutral stance, seeking to mediate the ongoing political crisis.
