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/Sounds like "mah" (as in "mark") + "trah" (as in "tract") + "KEH" (as in "kept") + "roh" (as in "row")/

Meaning

A corrupt official who demands bribes to do their job. In Venezuela, a matraquero will not process your paperwork, let you through a checkpoint, or do anything at all unless money changes hands. The name comes from "matraca," a noisy rattle: they keep making noise until you pay.

Examples

That cop is a bribe-seeker, he always wants something for everything.

He had to pay off the corrupt official just to get his permit.

Regional synonyms

In Venezuela, something or someone that is damaged, broken, or in terrible shape. To be "escoñetado" means you are wrecked, useless, or completely worn out physically.