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From Turkish Businessman's Venezuelan Empire Faces Review by New Leadership

How could Turhan Mildon's Venezuelan business dealings affect Donald Trump?

Possible What happens if… A possibility worth considering, not a forecast.

Mildon's ties to Trump circle may influence Venezuelan contract decisions Turhan Mildon built a business empire in Venezuela, securing contracts like operating state-owned cement plants and controlling a shrimp production business while Alex Saab served as industry minister. Following Nicolás Maduro's capture, the interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, began reviewing and eventually issued an order revoking Mildon's cement contract. However, Rodríguez later paused this termination after learning that Mildon was in a relationship with Alina Habba, a former lawyer close to Donald Trump, who has direct access to him. This connection illustrates how Mildon's personal ties to Trump's political circle became a factor in the political calculations surrounding his threatened businesses in Venezuela.

Reported by 1 independent outlet Written 6 hours ago
Effect
Mixed
How direct
Stated in the reporting
When
Within weeks
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Still developing

How it reaches Donald Trump

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The facts so far

As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.

  • Mildon secured a contract to operate state-owned cement plants in March 2025.moneycontrol.com
  • Mildon married Alina Habba in September at New York’s Waldorf Astoria hotel.moneycontrol.com
  • Alina Habba is described as one of US President Donald Trump’s closest former lawyers.moneycontrol.com
  • Delcy Rodríguez paused the termination of Mildon's cement contract after learning about his relationship with Habba.moneycontrol.com

Why it matters

For Donald Trump, this situation highlights the intersection of his political network and foreign business interests, demonstrating how his associates' connections can influence political decisions in unstable regions. The reports show that Mildon's ties to Trump's circle, including through Richard Grenell, helped open doors in Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro, suggesting a pattern of political and business overlap.

More broadly, the case illustrates the risks foreign investors face in politically unstable countries like Venezuela. Mildon's contracts were threatened following Nicolás Maduro's capture, and the subsequent review by Delcy Rodríguez's administration shows how political transitions can lead to contract revocations, even when personal influence is involved.

What we don't know yet

  • Did Alina Habba use her influence to help her husband retain the contracts?
  • Will the Venezuelan government continue to review Mildon's business operations under the current leadership?

What would change this answer

Alina Habba were to publicly confirm using her influenceThe political implications for Donald Trump and his associates would become much stronger and more immediate.
Delcy Rodríguez's administration were to formally rescind the pause on the contract terminationThe influence of Mildon's connections would be definitively shown to have failed to protect his business interests.

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Brind's analysis is written by AI from the reporting linked above and can be wrong. This explainer is a possibility worth considering, not a forecast: steps marked as Brind's reasoning are not stated in the reporting. It is not investment advice; do your own research.