- So far, three possible criminal plots are known that are being investigated in the country
Since March 17, the National Police Against Corruption has made several arrests for alleged cases of corruption in Venezuela. Among those apprehended are public officials and businessmen.
The attorney general, Tarek William Saab, reported that 51 people have been detained for corruption cases. However, not all the names of those allegedly involved have been revealed. So far, three possible corruption schemes are known: PDVSA-Crypto, the case of the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana (CVG) and one related to the Judiciary.
On Wednesday, April 5, the hearing for the presentation of 13 people arrested for allegedly participating in corruption schemes was held.
Saab pointed out that they were “accompanying the prosecutors” in the actions of the Public Ministry.
On March 25, Saab gave his first assessment of the special operation carried out by the National Police Against Corruption. During a press conference, he revealed details of the plot that he dubbed “PDVSA-Cripto”, which involves the state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela SA and the National Superintendency of Crypto-Activities and Related Activities (Sunacrip).
Progressively, the prosecutor offered details of other arrests, the charges for which these people were accused and their imputation hearings.
Officials arrested for the PDVSA-Crypto case
– Antonio José Pérez Suárez, former Vice President of Commerce and Supply of PDVSA.
-Joselit de La Trinidad Ramírez Camacho, former National Superintendent of Crypto Assets and crypto-financial operator.
-Hugbel Rafael Roa Carucci, former deputy of the National Assembly of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
-José Agustín Ramos, an official from PDVSA’s Vice Presidency of Commerce and Supply.
-Yamil Alejandro Martínez, an official from the PDVSA Vice Presidency of Commerce and Supply.
-Odoardo José Bordones, an official from PDVSA’s Vice Presidency of Commerce and Supply.
-Heinrich Chapellín Biundo, an official from PDVSA’s Vice Presidency of Commerce and Supply.
-Jesús Enrique Salazar, an official from PDVSA’s Vice Presidency of Commerce and Supply.
-Rajiv Alberto Mosqueda, official of the Digital Mining and Associated Processes Administration.
-Renny Gerardo Barrientos, official of the Digital Mining and Associated Processes Administration.
-Jackeline Perico, executive director of the Orinoco Oil Belt
-José Lima, assistant to the executive director of the Orinoco Oil Belt
Businessmen arrested for the PDVSA-Crypto case
– Manuel Meneses, financial operator and advisor to Pérez Suárez.
– Roger Martínez, who coordinated the link between officials and businessmen.
– Rafael Perdomo, owner of the company Constructora HP.
– Roger Perdomo, owner of the HP Construction company.
– Daniel Prieto
– Kristhofer Barrios
– Johanna Torres
– Alejandro Arroyo
Bernardo Arosio
– Fernando Bermudez
–Leonardo Torres.
Saab further dictated arrest warrant against 11 more persons for their relation to the case. These would be: Juan Manuel and Manuel Ramon Alfonso, William Rivas, Ximena Cagide Parada, Eduardo Noriega, Jose Luis Ferrandiz, Olvany Gaspari, Railin Elizabeth Yepez, Rodolfo Moleiro, Alexander London and Yuravic Ravelo.
detained judges
– Cristobal Cornieles, former director of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of Caracas
– José Mascimino Márquez, former control room judge with competence in crimes associated with terrorism of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of Caracas
– Yorvis Bracho Gómez, former judge of the First Court of Control of the Judicial District of Falcón state.
Officials arrested for the CVG case
-Pedro Maldonado, president of the CVG
-Néstor Astudillo, President of Siderúrgica del Orinoco (Sidor)
-Edgar Sánchez, Vice President of Planning at CVG
-Felipe Contreras, Vice President of Iron and Steel of the CVG
-Lino Mora, Executive Vice President of the CVG
-Tulio Medina, CVG Vice President of Finance
-Carlos Moreno, CVG Traffic and Customs Manager
-Johan Sequera, Director of the Office of the CVG
-Isaac Mouhamad Salazar, CVG Legal Affairs Manager
An arrested mayor
Saab reported on March 25 about the arrest of Pedro Hernández, mayor of the Santos Michelena municipality in Aragua state. “He sullied his charge. He offended and humiliated the voters who voted for him to associate with criminal gangs of the worst kind ”, he commented.
He explained that Hernández was linked to Carlos Gómez, alias El Conejo, killed during a police operation in Sucre state on March 23. He indicated that the mayor financed and supported criminal groups from the population of Las Tejerías with State resources. This included everything from logistical material to parties.
But it wasn’t just the band of El Conejo. The prosecutor stated that Hernández also had ties to Héctor “el Niño” Guerrero, a pran from the Tocorón prison and leader of the Tren de Aragua. He indicated that the former mayor has already been brought before the courts and charged with the crimes of aggravated extortion, terrorism, obstruction of free trade, aggravated criminal association, money laundering and treason. He also faces a possible maximum penalty.