That's not a rumor, it's a fact.
My wife is from Chile. I met her on a wheeling trip in Chile with a fellow member of NAXJA who is Chilean and who invited me down to go wheeling with his club. They verify that Venezuelan XJs (the early ones) were built to export specs and have genuine Dana 44 axles. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the XJs and MJs that go (went) to Chile were built in the U.S. factory and are identical to the ones we can but here. Except that the hidden winch option is (was) VERY popular down there.
Not that I doubt you, but all I have ever heard about it was something like you said. I've never seen any pictures, and no one can tell us what its like. I suspect its basically like a TJ D44, but we have no way to confirm that.