Friday July 18, 2025
  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast
Versión Español
PanAm Post
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
PanAm Post
No Result
View All Result

Home » Hackers Steal Military and Diplomatic Intelligence from Maduro Regime

Hackers Steal Military and Diplomatic Intelligence from Maduro Regime

Sabrina Martín by Sabrina Martín
August 5, 2019
in International Relations, News, South America, Venezuela
FacebookTwitterTelegramWhatsapp
A computer virus is aggressively targeting the Maduro regime’s intelligence services (Mincomunas).

A computer virus called “Machete”, which has been in operation since 2010, has been operating since 2012 in Venezuela with the main purpose of stealing valuable intelligence information from the Nicolás Maduro regime. The purpose of the virus is to hijack confidential information, such as military and diplomatic documents.

A report published by the Spanish media outlet ABC revealed that the cybersecurity company ESET, which has been hired to study the virus, has analyzed more than 50 computers, of which 75% of them belong to senior officials of the Venezuelan Army from whom the virus has stolen key military intelligence.

RelatedArticles

CNN Fake News: The Network’s Efforts to Justify Its Actions May Be Worse than Its Actual Flawed Reporting

CNN’s audience in 2024 was the lowest in its history

December 21, 2024
These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela

These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela

November 27, 2024

“The main objective of the hacker group, which is very active and effective, are to access these confidential documents in which information regarding the positioning and movement of troops is collected. However, they are also interested in data on education, police, security, and foreign affairs,” says the report.

Hackers that operate the virus are infiltrating electronic devices through an email containing authentic confidential documents based on information that they have previously stolen.

“Although we cannot fully ensure that the group behind Machete is of Latin American origin, there is no doubt that they have a great deal of knowledge of military jargon,” said Josep Albors, an ESET researcher.

A SecureList article, published in 2014, reveals that “Machete” is a campaign of targeted attacks with origins in the Spanish language. The program is capable of cyber espionage operations such as keypad activity capture, geographic location data capture, file copy sending, and other activities.

SecureList explains that the majority of the victims of the virus are in Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Russia, Cuba, and Spain. And it adds that in some cases, such as Russia’s, targets appear to be embassies of the countries mentioned. The virus has also been active, although to a minor degree, in the United States, England, Canada, Germany, and Ukraine, among other countries.

“Its objectives include intelligence services, armed forces, embassies, and government institutions,” the article stated.

Venezuela, the main objective

In 2014 Kaspersky Lab had warned that the majority of the nearly 780 targets it has been able to detect are in Venezuela (42%), Ecuador (36%), and Colombia (11%).

"Machete", el virus informático de América Latina. @doc_paul te informa en #HackerTv por #ExcélsiorTv. pic.twitter.com/UZml2ZPVcS

— Excélsior (@Excelsior) August 20, 2014

It is curious that the Maduro dictatorship is the main objective of hackers behind “Machete”, as the South American nation is governed mainly by military officials.

So far, cybersecurity specialists have not disclosed what the hackers’ objective would be after obtaining the stolen information, especially with respect to the Venezuelan regime, or what they have done with the data acquired in other countries.

Venezuela has been a country filled with rumors of war, in which the regime has announced its fear of a possible foreign military intervention and has sought to prepare for any conflict. The information acquired by Machete could, if it comes to light, further damage the image of the dictatorship and reveal its strategies to stay in power.

According to investigations, Russian and Cuban embassies have also been victims of information theft; these countries being the main allies of the Maduro regime.

The Symantec Annual Security Report (ISTR), published in March 2019, revealed that Brazil tops the list of cyber attack countries followed by Mexico. Venezuela ranked third, while Argentina and Chile placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

Sabrina Martín

Sabrina Martín

Sabrina Martín is a Venezuelan journalist, commentator, and editor based in Valencia with experience in corporate communication.

Related Posts

CNN Fake News: The Network’s Efforts to Justify Its Actions May Be Worse than Its Actual Flawed Reporting
Ideology

CNN’s audience in 2024 was the lowest in its history

December 21, 2024
These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela
Elections

These are the 21 individuals sanctioned by the U.S. for fraud and repression in Venezuela

November 27, 2024
Yamandú Orsi, from the leftist Frente Amplio, wins the Presidency of Uruguay
Elections

Yamandú Orsi, from the leftist Frente Amplio, wins the Presidency of Uruguay

November 24, 2024
Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?
Argentina

Can Socialism Compete “On Equal Terms” in the Field of Ideas?

November 20, 2024
"The people must come to an agreement," said Colombian President Gustavo Petro regarding the outcome of the elections in Venezuela, ignoring the fact that Venezuelans had already expressed themselves at the polls. (File photo)
Colombia

Petro Calls Venezuelan Elections a “Mistake”: What Lies Ahead for Colombia?

November 19, 2024
Vicky Dávila Runs for President: Could She Be the Outsider to Unite the Anti-Petro Movement?
Colombia

Vicky Dávila Runs for President: Could She Be the Outsider to Unite the Anti-Petro Movement?

November 15, 2024
Next Post
Should a College Degree Be a Requirement For Those Aspiring to Preside Over a Country?

Should a College Degree Be a Requirement For Those Aspiring to Preside Over a Country?

Subscribe free and never miss another breaking story

  • Venezuela
  • Mexico
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Podcast

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Regions
    • South America
    • North America
    • Central America
    • Caribbean
  • Politics
  • Economics
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Authors
  • Contact

© 2024 PanAm Post - Design & Develop by NEW DREAM GLOBAL CORP. - Privacy policy

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Privacy and Cookie Policy.