In the midst of the Venezuelan crisis after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, an unexpected chapter from Delcy Rodríguez’s sentimental past resurfaced: her relationship with actor Fernando Carrillo, known in Argentina for his marriage to Catherine Fulop and for hits like “Abigail” and “Rosalinda.”
Carrillo, 59 years old and a fervent defender of Chavismo, confessed in a Chilean television interview that he had been dating Rodríguez – today acting president – for several years. Although the versions vary between one and three years, the romance took place around 2006-2007, when Delcy began his political rise under Hugo Chávez and the actor was experiencing the peak of his fame.
“She was the great love of my life,” said Carrillo, who described her as a “brilliant woman, very prepared, loyal, faithful and brave.” However, he admitted the criticism he received: “They told me ‘how can you be with such an ugly woman after Catherine Fulop?'”, remembering his high-profile marriage to the Argentine actress between 1990 and 1994, marked by infidelities and a scandalous divorce.
The Venezuelan heartthrob, who also had other marriages and is the father of two children, kept the romance low profile due to social and political pressures. Today, with Rodríguez at the head of the Executive after Maduro’s arrest, the anecdote takes on new relevance and mixes the world of soap operas with Caribbean high politics.
Carrillo did not hesitate to defend her against speculation of betrayal of Maduro: “It is impossible that she betrayed Maduro; I have not met a more loyal woman.” A real-life soap opera that combines glamour, power and old loves.
