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Short Article: How Politicians Are Paid by Enemies of the State

Title: Enemies at the Gate: How Foreign Adversaries Like Venezuela Funnel Money to U.S. Politicians Through Laundering Networks

In the shadowy world of international corruption, figures like Alex Saab—once dubbed Nicolás Maduro's "right-hand man"—illustrate how enemies of the United States allegedly infiltrate American politics. Saab, a Colombian businessman tied to Venezuela's regime, was accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of laundering at least $350 million through schemes involving food imports (the CLAP program), oil, and gold trades. These resources were reportedly swapped for cryptocurrency, cash, or weapons to dodge sanctions, amassing hidden assets potentially worth billions—including claims of $60 billion in Venezuelan Bitcoin holdings.

But the story doesn't end in Caracas. According to U.S. investigations, laundered funds from such networks flow through a web of shell companies (e.g., in the UAE or Mexico), NGOs, stock market fronts, and offshore havens like the Cayman Islands or Swiss banks. From there, money allegedly seeps into U.S. political fundraising platforms like ActBlue, a major Democratic donation hub. House Republican-led probes in 2024-2025 uncovered patterns of "straw donations"—small, repeated contributions from unwitting Americans (often elderly or low-income) that may mask foreign origins. Reports specifically flag potential illegal inflows from adversaries including Venezuela, China, Russia, and Iran, totaling millions in suspect funds distributed to campaigns and activist networks.

This isn't just theory. The House Administration Committee found evidence of foreign money laundered via ActBlue, enabling influence over U.S. policy—perhaps softening stances on sanctions or regime change. Estimates suggest $10-100 million in dubious donations per election cycle, blending with legitimate grassroots giving to create a "corrupt hub" where enemies buy access. While ActBlue denies wrongdoing and emphasizes security, ongoing subpoenas and state attorney general referrals highlight the vulnerability.

Politicians paid by enemies of the state? It's a stark reality check. Stronger verification, like mandatory CVV checks (now implemented by ActBlue), and federal oversight are essential to safeguard democracy. Until then, the line between donation and infiltration remains blurred—proving that in politics, follow the money, and you might find the foe.

(Sources: U.S. Treasury/DOJ reports on Saab; House committee investigations into ActBlue; public allegations from ZeroHedge and NY Post. All figures are estimates based on public records; no intent to defame—truth-seeking analysis only.)

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