The death of one of the most wanted men in Petare was announced by Diosdado Cabello. “Wilexis” was a key target for Maduro’s government, and after a fierce confrontation with the police forces in the capital, he was killed.
In Petare, there was an authority that rivaled the mayor’s office of José Vicente Rangel Ávalos, and that authority was alias Wilexis. Although he was on the most-wanted list, authorities did nothing until January 2025, when they finally decided to go after him.
Who was Wilexis?
Wilexis Alexander Acevedo Monasterios was 39 years old and had been involved in criminal activities since he was young. His name was as well-known among the police as it was among other infamous criminals like “El Conejo” and “El Koki.” He was known for his crimes, which included homicide, kidnapping, extortion, and theft. The police offered $150,000 for his capture.
At the age of 20, Wilexis was already in the dangerous Tocorón prison, home to the powerful Tren de Aragua gang. Many of Maduro’s opponents ended up being tortured there. However, Wilexis was released from prison for reasons that were never explained, and he returned to Petare, where he quickly gained power.
The “Peace Judge”
In 2017, Wilexis was appointed as the “peace judge” in Petare by José Vicente Rangel Ávalos under the government program called “peace zones.”
This program, which was supposed to reduce violence in areas controlled by criminals, turned out to be a disaster. The peace zones crumbled due to the economic crisis, massive migration, and protests throughout the country.
In Petare, many believed that Wilexis controlled everything that happened, even the protests against Maduro’s government. In 2020 and 2021, there were several confrontations between law enforcement and Wilexis’ gang, but he always escaped.
Petare and the Resistance Against Maduro’s Government
In 2024, after the fraudulent elections of Nicolás Maduro, Petare became one of the most active places in the protests against the national government. Although chavismo had been strong in this neighborhood, Petare rose as one of the first places to openly challenge Maduro’s authoritarianism. The people in the neighborhood fought for the real results, which gave Edmundo González as the winner.
Maduro, however, did not accept the discontent of the people. Instead of listening, he accused the opposition of being allied with criminal groups like the one led by Wilexis.
The Death of Wilexis
On January 22, 2025, just 12 days after Maduro swore himself in as president, authorities announced that Wilexis had been killed. The police reported that there was no resistance from Wilexis, who was injured and transferred to a Diagnostic Center (CDI), where he died.
The report mentioned that they found two firearms of 9mm caliber and an undetonated grenade. The Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, was the one who announced the news, once again linking Wilexis to the “far-right.”
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