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MANILA, Philippines — Days continue to pass with the lingering question of who will formally lead Venezuela following the capture of its president Nicolas Maduro.
Earlier this week, the United States carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela, capturing Maduro and his wife Cilia to be put on trial in New York for narco-terrorism conspiracy charges.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as interim leader, claiming Maduro was "kidnapped," although many believe that opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado should now be in charge of running the country.
Talks of another election in Venezuela swirl amid the legal issues surrounding Maduro's arrest, with the ongoing threats of US President Donald Trump another thing to be factored in.
As with every topic that pops in the news, there is always a showbiz connection — in this case within the circle of temporary leader Rodriguez.
Fernando. People may be surprised to know, except for Venezuelans, that Rodriguez previously dated actor, singer, and model Fernando Carrillo.
Filipinos will know the actor as the star of Mexican telenovelas "Maria Isabel" and "Rosalinda," appearing in the latter as Fernando Jose del Castillo Altamirano alongside Thalia, Angelica Maria, and Lupita Ferrer.
Carillo shared the revelation in an interview with Chilean morning show "Contigo en la Mañana," admitting to be in a three-year romantic relationship with Rodriguez.
The actor called Rodriguez "the most intelligent woman" and his "El gran amor de mi vida (the great love of his life)," descriptions he repeated in other interviews.
Rodriguez and Carillo stopped dating in 2007, but the actor continued to support the Chavismo ideology led by Maduro and now Rodriguez.
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No distrust. There are talks that someone in Maduro's circle betrayed him, leading to his arrest by Americans, and a rumor is going around it might have been Rodriguez as she stood to gain from Maduro's removal.
That topic was discussed on "Contigo en la Mañana" but Carillo defended Rodriguez, saying in Spanish he's "never known a more loyal, faithful, honest, noble, strong, and courageous woman."
He added that those spreading rumors about a betrayal as well as Venezuela being labelled a narco-state are emerging from parties celebrating Maduro's arrest, claims he all denounced.
The actor asserted that Venezuela was not in a dictatorship under Maduro as he was voted by the people in three consecutive elections, albeit international monitors called the most recent polls neither free nor fair.
Philippines. "Maria Isabel" and "Rosalinda" both aired on free Filipino television at the turn of the millennium, with Carillo first visiting the Philippines at height of both shows' popularity to promote then-next project, "Siempre te amaré."
Carillo has returned to the Philippines several times since, most recently in 2023 where he admitted to going on a date with one notable Filipino personality.
"It depends on what 'date' means, but I went to dinner with a very smart Filipino," Carillo told Boy Bunda then, revealing that he was talking about broadcaster-host Korina Sanchez.
The dinner took place during one Carillo's earlier visits to the Philippines before Sanchez would go on to marry former senator Mar Roxas.
"We did an amazing interview once upon a time in Miami, and then I came to the Philippines once. And we went to have dinner with some friends," Carillo added. "[Maybe that], we can call it a date. But she's a dear friend whom I respect and I admire very much."
Carillo was initially married to fellow actress Catherine Fulop for four years before divorcing in 1994. In end-2008 he welcomed son Ángel Gabriel then in 2020 married Maria Gabriela Rodriguez, with whom he has another son named Milo.
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