Episode 5: Farewell to Carmelo

by Alicja Pawlowska

Date: March 19, 2026

In Miami, journalist Laura Weffer surveys the remnants of a fallen criminal network and reflects on the broader global patterns at play.

Venezuelan reporter Laura Weffer, now living in exile, travels to Florida in search of Carmelo Urdaneta, a former official from the country’s oil ministry. Through her investigation, she unravels the inner workings of corrupt financial schemes that spanned from Miami to Madrid.

A secretly recorded conversation from 2017 exposes how shadow bankers were enlisted to launder millions of dollars, revealing the hidden mechanics behind the illicit deals. The story pieces together how these operations collapsed, leaving a trail of broken promises and legal fallout.

Weffer’s journey highlights the intersection of international finance, political corruption, and the relentless pursuit of justice across borders.