Rodil had built a lucrative business as a middleman between the U.S. government and expatriate Venezuelans, especially those who could incriminate the Maduro regime. Now Trump has sent warships to international waters off Venezuela and illegally killed 17 people at sea in unprovoked bombings. According to Berntsen, Venezuela recruited members of the CIA, the State Department, think thanks, and lobbying firms. Before even hearing of Tren de Aragua, Berntsen was focused on election theft. Newsmax didn’t respond to my questions about their work with the Maduro regime.