CARACAS - Venezuelan opposition figure Carlos Paparoni has made a series of serious allegations about the relationship between the former government of Nicolás Maduro and Iran, claiming the partnership extended far beyond diplomatic or commercial cooperation.
Speaking in an interview with NTN24, Paparoni argued that the alliance involved economic, military and political elements that, according to him, affected Venezuela’s sovereignty and security.
Among his claims, Paparoni said that joint projects and agreements between Venezuela and Iran were valued at around $40 billion and that the relationship had evolved into a broad strategic partnership over nearly two decades.
He also alleged that Venezuelan authorities issued passports and national identification documents to thousands of people from Iran, Syria and Lebanon. According to Paparoni, more than 10,000 individuals from those countries received Venezuelan nationality, raising concerns among critics about potential security implications.
The opposition politician further claimed that networks connected to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas had gained influence through Venezuela’s international partnerships. These allegations have not been independently verified in all details.
However, there is documented evidence of extensive cooperation between Caracas and Tehran. In 2022, the two countries signed a 20-year cooperation agreement covering energy, industry and trade. Over the years, exchanges have included shipments of crude oil, gasoline, condensates and refinery parts, as well as technical assistance between the two governments, both of which were subject to international sanctions.
Another controversial issue raised in past reports involves the use of Venezuelan gold as payment for Iranian fuel shipments during Venezuela’s severe gasoline shortages in 2020. Analysts and media reports at the time indicated that gold transfers were used to settle energy transactions between the two countries.
Paparoni’s remarks have renewed debate over the extent of the strategic relationship between the Venezuelan government and Iran and the potential implications for regional security and international diplomacy. Critics argue that the partnership gave Tehran a stronger foothold in Latin America, while supporters of the former Venezuelan government have defended the cooperation as a response to international sanctions and economic isolation.
The allegations continue to fuel discussion about how far the relationship between the two countries extended and what its long-term consequences may be for Venezuela and the region.