Affairs of the daughters of ex-President Zapatero in Venezuela: the clan is growing

In recent years, the activities of the former president's family José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in Venezuela have sparked lively debates. While some rumors suggest a possible gold mine under his control, his daughters, Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosahave ventured into the eSports sector through their company ‘Whathefav’.

These ties have sparked criticism and speculation about the former president's political and economic connections with the regime of Nicolas Maduro.

The start of the controversy dates back to 2020, when Piedad Córdobaa former Colombian senator close to Chavismo, claimed that Zapatero told her he owned a gold mine in Venezuela. According to Córdoba, the former Spanish president reportedly mentioned that this mine was part of a plan to reward certain international allies of Chavismo. She quoted him as saying: “We have all been given a gold mine.”

In 2021, Hugo 'El Pollo' Carvajalformer head of military intelligence under the government of Hugo Chávez, reinforced these statements during an appearance before the Audiencia Nacional in Spain. Carvajal claimed that Zapatero owned a mine in Venezuela and was gathering evidence to prove it.

This testimony was intended to bolster his credibility as he faced possible extradition to the United States, fueling the media scandal. However, until now, no conclusive evidence has been presented to support these claims. For his part, Zapatero categorically denied these accusationscalling them “absurd” and the results of a disinformation campaign against him.

In recent statements, the former president has defended his role as mediator in Venezuela, seeking to establish political dialogue between Maduro's government and the opposition, while rejecting any involvement in illicit affairs.

'Whathefav': The entrepreneurial rise of Zapatero's daughters

Aside from the allegations regarding their father, Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa built their own entrepreneurial journey. In 2019, they founded 'Whathefav', a digital marketing and communications agency focused on electronic sports (eSports) and new technologies.

Headquartered in Madrid, the company has experienced strong growth, attracting international clients and increasing its turnover by 24% in 2022.

This summer, 'Whathefav' decided to expand its operations to the Venezuelan market, a strategic move that leverages Zapatero's connections, aiming to capitalize on the development of eSports in the South American country.

The company recently posted a job posting to recruit a Venezuelan content creator residing in Madrid, specifically seeking expertise in video recording and editing, as well as social media skills.

This development signaled the start of their partnership with 'El Server'a Venezuelan company specializing in video games. This collaboration aims to promote and strengthen the eSports ecosystem in Venezuela, despite the country's technological and economic challenges.

El Server's role in this expansion

Located in Caracas, 'El Server' has established itself as a reference in the field of gaming in Venezuela and its founders strive to professionalize the sector while attracting foreign investment, in a market although small, but with potential of growth.

According to various sources, their collaboration with 'Whathefav' focuses on organizing tournaments and marketing campaignswith the aim of promoting video gaming as a form of entertainment and a viable career path.

The presence of 'Whathefav' in Venezuela arouses interest, but also suspicion. Some critics argue that José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero's ties to the Maduro regime would have facilitated the company's access to the local market. However, neither Alba nor Laura Rodríguez Espinosa have spoken publicly about these allegations, maintaining a low profile regarding their professional activities.

Controversies and criticisms

The expansion of 'Whathefav' in Venezuela is not without criticism. Several media outlets have questioned whether the company's success in this country is linked to their father's political influence.

No evidence has been presented to support these accusations, although the political and economic context of Venezuela, as well as Zapatero's close relationship with Chavismo, fuels the perception of an existing connection. At the same time, Zapatero's supposed gold mine remains a recurring topic in debates, with international media still highlighting the lack of concrete evidence.

Some, like Piedad Córdoba and Hugo Carvajal, continue to claim that there are economic ties between the former Spanish president and the Venezuelan regime. Public perception of the Zapatero family's activities in Venezuela is therefore largely influenced by the figure of the former president, whose role as mediator is seen by some as an authentic diplomatic effort, while others criticize him for his complicity with the Maduro regime.

In this context, Alba and Laura Rodríguez Espinosa's business activities are under constant scrutiny. Their entry into the eSports market can be seen as a legitimate expansion strategy, although the shadow of their father's political ties complicates their project.

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