Jeffrey Epstein and the Latin American Power Brokers Around His Network (Part 1) (5/27/26)

Summary

The Epstein Chronicles
Episode: Jeffrey Epstein and the Latin American Power Brokers Around His Network (Part 1)
Host: Bobby Capucci
Date: May 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, host Bobby Capucci dives into Jeffrey Epstein's connections throughout Latin America, focusing particularly on his relationships with powerful business and political figures in Venezuela and beyond. As part of an ongoing investigation, Capucci unpacks a recent Miami Herald article, exploring emerging records and emails that provide deeper insight into Epstein’s extensive operations in South America and the Caribbean. The discussion uncovers how Epstein leveraged these relationships—often exploiting them for personal, financial, and criminal gain—while being shielded by high-level connections in government and business.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Epstein’s Overlooked Operations in Latin America

• Capucci sets the scene by highlighting how Epstein’s activities in South America have only recently gained attention, despite longstanding rumors and fragmented reports.

  • “Up until recently, very few people were talking about Jeffrey Epstein and South America. But as of late, the conversation has picked up some steam...” (00:59)

• The episode focuses heavily on Venezuela, a country not previously at the forefront of Epstein-related discourse, and hints at broadening the narrative beyond the traditional US and European spheres.

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2. Epstein’s Venezuelan Ties: Oil, Influence & Corruption

• Venezuelan Power Players:

  • Epstein advised Dubai-based executives during the 2009 Venezuelan nationalization of the La Porte at Puerto Cabello and had close ties with Francisco D’Agostino, a sanctioned businessman associated with both the Maduro regime and opposition.

  • “Epstein also discussed business ventures with Francisco d'Agostino, an influential Venezuelan businessman who has relationships with both the Nicolas Maduro regime and the country's opposition.” (02:02)

• Sanctions and Political Irony:

  • Capucci notes the suspicious removal of US sanctions on D’Agostino with the change in US administration, sarcastically questioning political morality:
    • “It just so happens he is no longer sanctioned once Trump gets into office. Huh? Has Trump ever met a scumbag that he doesn't like?” (02:25)

• Dehumanization & Misogyny in their Correspondence:

  • Emails show Epstein and associates discussing women as commodities.

    • “...described a woman as a financial bond that they could trade and split the commission.” (02:47)

  • Capucci’s commentary on how elites view ordinary people as “commodities” is a recurring theme.

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3. The Culture of Transactional Relationships at the Top

• Capucci draws parallels between Epstein, other elites, and former President Trump, underscoring the idea that, at this level, everything is a transaction:
  • “Once you get to a position like Jeffrey Epstein or Donald Trump, it's all about, okay, if I do this for you, what can you do for me?...Power continues to insulate power.” (03:08)

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4. Email Evidence: Sex Trafficking & Complicity

• Jess Staley Connection:

  • Capucci questions media narratives and legal implications related to Epstein’s trafficking, especially involving his assistants and powerful recipients.

  • “If one of those assistants was also being abused, as they claim, wouldn't that mean that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked a woman to Jess Staley? And wouldn't that blow the claims that Epstein ever trafficked anybody to anybody right out of the water?” (04:09)

• He critiques “tourists” and media pundits who still try to downplay the breadth of Epstein’s crimes.

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5. US Government Inaction and Cover-Up

• Records and Protection:

  • The Herald’s findings—millions of pages from US Justice Department records—demonstrate how Epstein continually cultivated relationships with influential figures to boost his fortune, protected by institutional indifference or corruption.

  • “Jeffrey Epstein was created by the US government and then protected by the US government for years. That's it. That's the story.” (05:10)

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6. Epstein’s Caribbean and South American Ventures

• Failed Energy Deals in Chile:

  • Hedge fund manager Todd Meester attempted to involve Epstein in large-scale solar projects in Chile, which ultimately failed. Meester denied any real business relationship, but Capucci is skeptical:
    • “Sorry, Mr. Meester, we don't buy it. Everybody wants to act like they had no idea. You had all the ideas in the world. You didn't care.” (06:12)

• Caribbean Activities:

  • Epstein’s abuses on Little St. James Island are reaffirmed as fact, not allegation:
    • “Not allegedly. It definitely happened…But to act like it was alleged, like nobody ever was assaulted on that island? That is ridiculous.” (06:43)

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7. Cuba: High-Level Meetings and Conference Funding

• Visits and Accomplices:

  • In 2003, Epstein traveled to Cuba with Ghislaine Maxwell and Colombian ex-president Andrés Pastrana, meeting Fidel Castro.
    • “We met Fidel Castro,” Maxwell reportedly told authorities. (09:46)

• Scientific Funding and Disappointment:

  • In 2017, Epstein funded a Havana neuroscience conference via a Hong Kong contact, later griping about accountability for his money:
    • “I have yet to see $1 of my Cuba project was spent. Not $1, not one paper,” Epstein wrote. (12:09)

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8. Intertwinement with Criminal Enterprises

• Drug Plane Deals:
  • Epstein considered purchasing an aircraft from Federico Machado, a businessman later indicted for trafficking and laundering related to Latin American drug syndicates.
  • Capucci speculates the relevance to possible DEA investigations involving Epstein, critiquing persistent lack of transparency:
    • “Could this have something to do with that? Very possible…if there was a case, then we should have some court paperwork...” (13:38)

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9. Systemic Failure and Conspiracy

• Capucci ends Part 1 stressing the systemic, orchestrated nature of the coverup:
  • “The whole entire ‘investigation’ was built to fail from the very beginning… Jeffrey Epstein was being protected by somebody or somebodies in the government.” (14:56)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “How much do you want to bet that… project didn’t benefit the people from Chile? I’m sure it benefited Epstein and his buddies, but certainly not the Chileans.” (06:22)
• “Once you get to this level, everything is transactional for you. It's not like how you or I live.” (03:10)
• “Jeffrey Epstein was created by the U.S. government and then protected by the U.S. government for years. That's it. That's the story.” (05:10)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:59 — Introduction to the Latin American focus, especially Venezuela
• 02:02 — Overview of key Venezuelan relationships and corruption
• 04:09 — Discussion of trafficking and Jess Staley involvement
• 05:10 — Capucci’s thesis: US government complicity and protection
• 06:22 — Epstein’s failed Chile energy venture and critique of self-exoneration among associates
• 06:43 — Hardline assertion of abuse on Little St. James Island
• 09:46 — Cuba trip with Maxwell and Colombian ex-president; meeting Fidel Castro
• 12:09 — Epstein’s dissatisfaction with Havana neuroscience conference funding
• 13:38 — Drug plane purchase, further hints of criminal overlap and DEA secrecy
• 14:56 — Closing: systemic failure and continued cover-up; preview of Part 2

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Episode Tone & Language

Bobby Capucci maintains an acerbic, critical tone throughout—mixing direct reportage from the Miami Herald article with his own pointed commentary and rhetorical questions. He positions himself as a truth-teller against mainstream obfuscation and elite self-preservation, using blunt, sometimes sardonic language to underscore the gravity and absurdity of the Epstein saga.

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Conclusion

This dense, fast-paced episode presents a compelling argument that Epstein’s high-level criminal network extended deep into Latin America, shielded by government and business elites on multiple continents. Through new documentary evidence and Capucci’s incisive analysis, listeners are left with the unmistakable impression of widespread complicity and a cover-up still unpunished. Part 2 promises further revelations. All referenced documentation is available via the episode’s description box.

Transcript

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What's up everyone, and welcome to another episode of the Epstein Chronicles. Up until recently, very few people were talking about Jeffrey Epstein and South America. But as of late, the conversation has picked up some steam and we're starting to learn a little bit more about what Epstein and his operation were up to down in South America. And I know we've talked about Peru, we've talked about Colombia, and we most certainly have talked about Brazil. But one place that we haven't talked about too much is Venezuela and how Jeffrey Epstein made inroads in Venezuela with the most powerful people in the whole country. And this is going to build on what we've been talking about down in South America and hopefully give us a little more context. So let's dive into this article from the Miami Herald and let's see what they have for us. Headline Oil in Venezuela, Research in Cuba Inside Epstein's Ties to Latin America. This article was authored by Shirsho Dazgupta. Disgrace financier and registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had numerous relationships with the rich and powerful across South America and the Caribbean, a Miami Herald investigation has found. And when we're talking about a story like this, it's not about what you know, it's about what you can prove. And we knew previously that Epstein was running around South America, treating the whole continent like his own bacchanal room, but we didn't have the receipts to back it up. Well, those receipts are starting to pour in and the people who tried to tell you that Jeffrey Epstein was a lone wolf, they're looking stupider by the day. When Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez nationalized Laporte at puerto Cabello in 2009, Epstein advised the chief executive of the Dubai multinational that had operated it on how to navigate the situation. Yeah, you know his buddies over in the Middle east, the ones that he was so fond of and the ones that were so fond of him. Yeah, those guys. Epstein also discussed business ventures with Francisco d', Agostino, an influential Venezuelan businessman who has relationships with both the Nicolas Maduro regime and the country's opposition. D' Agostino was under US sanction from 2021 to 2025 for brokering oil deals for the country's state controlled energy company. And it just so happens that he is no longer sanctioned once Trump gets into office. Huh? Has Trump ever met a scumbag that he doesn't like? I mean, real question. Epstein and d' Agostino also often discussed sexual exploits and exchange derogatory comments about women emails between them show. For instance, in an email correspondence in October 2012, they described a woman as a financial bond that they could trade and split the commission. That was typical. That's what they think about people. That's what they think about you. You're a commodity. You're your chattel. You're worth nothing to them. And the funniest part is all these pundits that have taken up their cause, trying to call this a hoax, etcetera, they mean nothing to them either. They're disposable and interchangeable. Everything is transactional for Trump, just like it was for Epstein. And the truth is, once you get to this level, everything is transactional for you. It's not like how you or I live. You don't do things out of the kindness of your heart. You don't, you know, help people out because you can. Once you get to a position like Jeffrey Epstein or Donald Trump, it's all about, okay, if I do this for you, what can you do for me? And that's why power continues to insulate power. In another missive a few months later, d' Agostino told Epstein, or asked Epstein about a young woman that he had met on the financiers private island the previous year. Epstein replied that she was here and naked. And speaking of that, not to go too off course here, but didn't Jess Staley admit to sleeping with one of Epstein's assistants? And I know he said it was consensual, but if one of those assistants was also being abused, as they claim, wouldn't that mean that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked a woman to Jess Daily? And wouldn't that blow the claims that Epstein ever trafficked anybody to anybody right out of the water? Oh, it does, doesn't it? Like I've been telling all these tourists from the very beginning, you're not wanted here. Kick rocks, head back to whatever stupid topic you were talking about before this became, quote, unquote, popular, and let the adults continue the discussion, because there's way too many people who think they know, who don't know. The Herald's reporting is based on the millions of pages of records released earlier this year by the U.S. justice Department. The findings highlight how the financier was constantly cultivating relationships with influential figures and using them to add to his fortunes. Well, I thought he was a lone wolf, just a regular guy, you know, who had a couple of disgusting proclivities, who wanted to prey on young girls. Oh, what? He was something besides that, and that was just a perk of the job for him. Oh, that's why the government protected him. I get it. Okay, so they let Jeffrey Epstein do what he wanted, just like they let Whitey Bulger kill whoever he wanted. As long as the means justified the ends. Folks, that's it in a nutshell. This is not that confusing. This is not some great mystery. Jeffrey Epstein was created by the U.S. government and then protected by the U.S. government for years. That's it. That's the story. D' Agostino was introduced to Epstein by hedge fund manager Todd Meester. In 2012. Meester pitched Epstein on a project to acquire, develop, and operate up to 1,000 megawatts of solar energy plants in the Atacama Desert in Chile. An investment deck stated that upon completion, the venture projected revenue exceeding 30 million within a decade. How much do you want to bet that whatever that project was didn't benefit the people from Chile? I'm sure it benefited Epstein and his buddies, but certainly not the Chileans. Meester told the Herald that the venture did not come to fruition, that he never had any business relationship with Epstein. He described the investment deck as a preliminary document that he had sent Epstein because the financier seemed to look at emerging markets and. And opportunities that were not mainstream. Sorry, Mr. Meester, we don't buy it. Everybody wants to act like they had no idea. You had all the ideas in the world. You didn't care. And the only reason you care now is because you're getting called out, and then of course we get the BS statement, right? Hardly knew the guy, never met him. Epstein's footprint in the Caribbean, the Herald found, extended beyond Little St. James's private island where he allegedly raped and sexually assaulted countless women and girls. Not allegedly. It definitely happened. Now if you want to talk about how many people were abused and just how vast and for how long the abuse went on, then that's certainly a discussion. But to act like it was alleged, like nobody ever was assaulted on that island? That is ridiculous. In 2003 he traveled to Cuba she and met the late Fidel Castro. And in 2017, Epstein helped fund a state backed neuroscience conference in Havana. Well, communists have no problem with a guy like Epstein. Just like capitalists don't folks, don't you get it yet? It doesn't matter what people say they are when it comes to powerful people, they're going to do what powerful people do. And none of that includes you. So the next time you want to fight with somebody over one of these dumbass politicians, just remember what they were saying about you in these emails.

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Yes you can. A five minute quick and easy calorie burning workout. Give it a try. Come join our sweat sesh on TikTok, A conference in Havana in March 2003. He traveled to the island nation with his accomplice and former partner Ghislaine Maxwell and the former president of Colombia, Andres Pastrana Arongo. We met Fidel Castro, maxwell told Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche in an interview last year. Well, isn't that guy Hassan Piker, the streamer dude in trouble for going to Cuba? Should Maxwell get nailed for the same thing? Was her trip approved and if so, who approved it and why? Boy, it's a tangle web we weave, isn't it? The Herald did not find any evidence of Epstein discussing anything related to politics or business with the Cuban strongman. How would you know what somebody's going to come forward and be like, hey, Epstein was talking about X, Y and Z. No, that's not how it works. Roughly 15 years after that trip, Epstein's long held dream of financing a giant conference in Havana came true. He provided funds for the new Psycho Congress, a Cuban state backed international neuroscience conference in Havana in November of 2017. Epstein got involved via Hong Kong researcher Gino Yu, whose work into conscientiousness and special abilities he was already financing. What is this little boys? Epstein and his buddies are trying to make a homelander type of character. Would that really shock you? It wouldn't shock me. Nothing shocks me when it comes to the depravity of these disgusting people. But the financier pedophile was unhappy with the results and and complained that he was not getting proper reports and considered the endeavor a waste of his time and his money. I have yet to see $1 of my Cuba project was spent. Not $1, not one paper. He wrote to the late British neurophysiologist Peter Fenwick who was among the attendees. Fenwick assured him that it was a success conference. Excellent. Fenwick wrote back many young Cubans with neuroscience posters and and papers who it was nice to encourage some senior Cuban scientists with remarkable discoveries. The Herald tried contacting you through Hong Kong Polytechnic University where he currently teaches, but did not receive any response. The record suggests that was the last time Epstein funded any academic project in Cuba. Drug plane among the planes he was exploring buying was one belonging to to South Aviation Inc. A Fort Lauderdale company owned by Argentine businessman Federico Machado. U.S. federal prosecutors indicted Machado in 2021, charging him with conspiracy to commit cocaine trafficking, export violations and wire fraud. Sounds like the exact kind of guy hanging out with Epstein. The indictment, detailing roughly $350 million in criminal activity alleged that the South Aviation were part of his scheme to purchase and illegally register airplanes in the US the jets would then be lent to organized crime syndicates across Latin America which use them to transport cocaine destined for the US the illicit proceeds were used to buy more planes. And remember the DEA investigation we were talking about that Epstein was part of? Could this have something to do with that? Very possible. Very, very possible. Because they still don't want to give us any information about the details of what was going on. And if it was some kind of operation going against cartels or whatever, then of course there's going to be operational secrecy. But if there was a case, then we should have some court paperwork, right? We should have some kind of paper trail. So I still have some questions about what was going on with that DEA investigation and what the hell Epstein was doing as part of it. Whether the jet Epstein was interested in was also used in illicit activity is unclear. Epstein ultimately decided not to proceed with the purchase. Machado, who was extradited by the US From Argentina late last year, is now in federal custody and awaiting trial. He faces up to life in prison. The Herald reached out to Machado for comment via his attorneys in the US but did not receive any response. And look, this report really is just building out on what we know and it's adding some pieces to what we already suspected. And the fact that Jeffrey Epstein was very active in South America financially is something that would have been easily traced by the United States government if they would have cared. But as we all know, they didn't care. And the whole entire quote, unquote investigation was built to fail from the very beginning. And when you go back and you look at the evidence and you look at what was going on in real time, it's rather obvious that the fix was in and that Jeffrey Epstein was being protected by somebody or somebodies in the government. All right, folks, we're going to wrap up episode one right here. And in the next episode, we're going to pick up where we left off and finish this bad boy up. All the information that goes with this episode can be found in in the description box.

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