Who is Betancourt, the man behind the company the US is partnering with in Venezuela?

NPR | By Julia Simon

Published September 2, 2026 at 4:41 AM EDT

The man behind the company that the US is partnering with in Venezuela is Alejandro Betancourt. He has faced multiple investigations in Spain, the United States and Switzerland for money laundering.

NPR News

Julia Simon

Julia Simon is the Climate Solutions Correspondent on NPR's Climate Desk.

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

Actor Tatyana Ali advocating for Black and Indigenous maternal health

Kristin Wright

Actor Tatyana Ali says her healing journey after a traumatic childbirth has inspired her advocacy for Black maternal health, including support for midwives, doulas and other birth workers.
A TikTok-famous masked superhero is roaming the streets of Roanoke, Virginia

Ayesha Rascoe

NPRs Ayesha Rascoe talks to The Roanoke Raven, a local Virginia "superhero" who highlights the work of nonprofits at events and in social media videos.
Ben Shelton will face off against Alexander Zverev in the US Open final

Bill Chappell

American men haven't clinched the Men's U.S. Open in more than two decades. Ben Shelton, 23, from Florida faces German, Alexander Zverev — whom he has never beat — in Sunday's tennis final.
Could AI kill us all? Professor weighs in on former Anthropic employee's claim

Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks University of Southampton's Thomas Dekeyser about worries AI is becoming fatally out of control.
An epic train chase is turning 100 — and Buster Keaton fans are celebrating

Brian Bull

100 years ago, silent film star Buster Keaton filmed The General in Cottage Grove, Ore. Fans are gathering there to celebrate the making of an epic early film.