‘Spooks hotel’: inside the five-star nerve centre of the US takeover of Venezuela
Diplomats, businessmen and US marines mingle at the JW Marriott hotel in Caracas as deals are done and the country’s resources divvied up
TL;DR
- Luxury hotels in Caracas, such as the JW Marriott, have become central meeting points for US officials, diplomats, and military personnel following a controversial US intervention.
- Discussions overheard in these hotels cover Venezuela's election roadmaps, political fragmentation, and economic future, with a focus on its electrical grid and potential privatizations.
- Foreign tycoons are reportedly congregating at other luxury hotels like the Cayena to engage in deals related to mining and privatizations, anticipating a bright economic future for Venezuela.
- The US presence and influence are viewed with discomfort by some Venezuelan elites and have led to protests denouncing "neocolonial collaboration" and resource exploitation.
- While some capitalists are optimistic about Venezuela's post-Maduro prospects, significant doubts remain regarding the country's future and its democracy.