Venezuela arrests relative of powerful ex-oil boss Ramirez in graft probe

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

#WORLD NEWS DECEMBER 1, 2017 / 6:22 PM / UPDATED 4 HOURS AGO

Venezuela arrests relative of powerful ex-oil boss Ramirez in graft probe

Reuters Staff
2 MIN READ

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela has arrested Diego Salazar, a relative of former oil czar Rafael Ramirez, as part of an investigation into a money laundering scandal in Andorra, the South American country’s state prosecutor said on Friday night.

President Nicolas Maduro is overseeing what his administration calls a “crusade” against corruption in the member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Some 65 oil executives have been detained in a deepening purge that could also see the leftist leader consolidate his grip over the energy sector and sideline rivals.

The Salazar case appears to relate to what the United States in 2015 said were some $2 billion in laundered funds from Venezuelan state oil company Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. [PDVSA.UL], known as PDVSA, at the private bank Banca Privada D‘Andorra (BPA).

Saab did not specify Salazar’s role or details on the money laundering, except that it involved around 1.35 billion euros in 2011 and 2012, but he said the case was bound to grow.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-oil-salazar/venezuela-arrests-relative-of-powerful-ex-oil-boss-ramirez-in-graft-probe-idUSKBN1DV648

[GatoGordo]

1. They want to squeeze Ramirez

He is sitting safe in NYC, and word is that Maduro has "recalled him" to Venezuela. Ramirez isn't a dummy. He was the top dog at PdVSA for 10 years, and he knows the score in Chavismo. Ramirez has promised to "turn on the fan" (our equivalent of 'spill the beans') if he is fired. Not that he isn't culpable. He is so corrupt, about the only person more corrupt is Chavez' daughter Maria, worth about $4.2 billion.

This is going to be a good one. Who to cheer for is the biggest dilemma. Both sides are scumbags, as both sides SAY they are the torch bearers of Chavez. It is better than a soap opera.

[GatoGordo]

2. Former PdVSA Chavista boss, who wanted to turn it "redder than red" won't return home

WSJ: Ramírez would have decided not to return to Venezuela, for now

ND / 6 Dec 2017.- Former Ambassador of Venezuela to the UN, Rafael Ramirez, decided to travel to a third country after publishing his letter of resignation on Tuesday. This is reflected in a note from the Wall Street Journal published by reporters Kejal Kemal Vyas, José de Córdoba and Anatoly Kurmanaev.

A person who has met with Ramírez recently told the WSJ that the "purge" within PDVSA has left him with three options: Return to Venezuela and face possible arrest; reach an agreement with the US authorities investigating the Maduro Government; or go into exile in another country - option that would have taken.

"He wants to keep a low profile for a while as he decides what to do," the person said.

Ramírez is a key figure to understand how PDVSA has declined after being considered a solid oil company.

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http://www.noticierodigital.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=88618

Maduro is looking for someone to sacrifice. All of them claim to carry the legacy of Chavez.

Either Maduro is an idiot or an accomplice.