Armando.info: Brave journalism that confronts the corruption of the Venezuelan regime.

In a context of growing hostility towards independent press in Venezuela, three journalists decided to join forces in 2014 to create Armando.info, an investigative digital media outlet that has become a beacon of truth amid a sea of disinformation. Joseph Poliszuk, Alfredo Meza, and Ewald Scharfenberg began their investigations from Poliszuk's home in Caracas, a space that would soon transform into the headquarters of a hard and dangerous fight against the corruption of Nicolás Maduro's regime. The situation was critical. Maduro's election as president in 2013 marked the beginning of a dark period for freedom of expression in the country. In that environment, mysterious investors acquired more than 20 media outlets, turning the press into a hostile territory for those who dared to investigate. However, Armando.info did not back down and, through tireless investigative work, uncovered the scandal of Alex Saab, Maduro's well-known frontman, who has become a symbol of the regime's corruption. Saab, a Colombian businessman, was revealed by Armando.info as the person responsible for the embezzlement of millions of dollars intended for the importation of housing kits that never reached the beneficiaries. The scandal not only exposed corruption in the management of public funds but also revealed the ineffectiveness of mechanisms intended to combat the housing crisis in Venezuela. Journalist Roberto Deniz from Armando.info was instrumental in this discovery, making him a target of reprisals from the regime. Armando.info's investigations led Saab to sue Deniz and the editors of the outlet for defamation, forcing them to leave the country and continue their work from Colombia. Despite the pressure and constant risk, the Armando.info team managed to continue exposing Saab's corrupt activities, who had become one of Maduro's main operators in the trafficking of PDVSA oil and other illicit businesses. In a dramatic turn of events, Saab was arrested in 2020 in Cape Verde, leading to a series of negotiations between the Joe Biden administration and Maduro's regime. Saab's release became a lever for Maduro to promise clean elections in 2024, a commitment met with skepticism both inside and outside Venezuela. However, reality has shown that the regime has the capacity to manipulate and control electoral outcomes in its favor, raising doubts about the possibility of a genuine democratic process. The Barbados Agreement, signed between the government and the opposition in October 2023, was seen as an opportunity to move towards more transparent elections. However, Maduro has played a double game, disqualifying candidates and limiting the vote of millions of Venezuelans abroad, generating a sense of betrayal among those who hoped for genuine change in the country's political system. As journalists continue to face a hostile environment, their work becomes indispensable in constructing a narrative that exposes the regime's failures and abuses. Saab's case is just one part of the web of corruption surrounding Maduro, but it symbolizes the fight for truth in a country where lies are imposed with force. Journalistic coverage of these issues is crucial, not only to inform citizens but also to maintain international pressure on a regime that seems determined to cling to power at any cost. Recent claims by U.S. prosecutors about Saab's connection to Maduro and drug trafficking highlight the magnitude of corruption within the Venezuelan government. As more details emerge about the relationship between the regime and organized crime, the question about Venezuela's future becomes more urgent. Corruption has not only robbed resources from the country but has also undermined trust in institutions and sowed despair among citizens. Despite the hopelessness surrounding the current political landscape, the work of media outlets like Armando.info serves as a reminder that truth can prevail. Although the fall of a dictatorship does not follow a predictable pattern, each investigative story can contribute to building a solid foundation for freedom. The resilience of journalists in Venezuela is a light in the darkness, a sign that the fight for justice and transparency continues, despite the dangers facing those who dare to challenge power.