International

Venezuela confirms investigation of public officials for corruption

Photo: Impact Venezuela

March 20 |

The government of the Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, confirmed on Sunday that it is investigating for alleged “administrative corruption and embezzlement”, several citizens who held public positions, reported the state channel Venezolana de Televisión.

Joselit Ramírez, dismissed from his position as head of the National Superintendence of Cryptocurrency and Related Activities (Sunacrip), where a “restructuring” took place, was reportedly arrested together with other officials, local newspaper Últimas Noticias reported.

Reports of arrests in the Venezuelan press have not yet been officially confirmed by Maduro’s government.

Ramirez is on the wanted list for “money laundering and sanctions evasion” of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. State Department, which is offering a reward of up to $5 million for his arrest.

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“Ramirez Camacho worked with others to violate and evade Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) narcotics-related sanctions, among other related regulations,” the government agency said.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement points to Ramírez of having ties to Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami, designated in 2017 by the US Treasury Department as a “Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker” for “playing a significant role in international narcotics trafficking.”

“He facilitated narcotics shipments from Venezuela, including control of planes leaving a Venezuelan airbase and drug routes through ports in Venezuela. In his former positions, he oversaw or partially owned narcotics shipments of more than 1,000 kilograms from Venezuela on multiple occasions, including those with Mexico and the United States as final destinations,” the US Department of Homeland Security states.

On several occasions the Venezuelan government, including President Nicolás Maduro, has defended several sanctioned officials, including El Aissami.

“They want to link him to Hezbollah, I know Tareck well, never in his life, he has never had contact with anyone from Hezbollah,” said the Venezuelan president at a public event in 2019.

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Other of those investigated in the operation of the anti-corruption authorities were the lawyer Cristóbal Cornieles Perret, president of the Criminal Judicial Circuit of Caracas; and the Fourth Control Judge with competence in crimes associated to terrorism, José Mascimino Márquez, who was in charge of cases where important opposition leaders were sentenced.

The Estafo channel also confirmed the investigation to the mayor of the Santos Michelena municipality of Aragua state, Pedro Hernández, “for issues linked” to criminal gangs.

The Venezuelan Anti-Corruption Police had announced on Friday that it requested the Public Prosecutor’s Office to “prosecute” a series of individuals who could be involved in “serious acts of administrative corruption and embezzlement”.

“The conviction of our actions are the result of a thorough investigation, carried out for months, which points to citizens who exercised functions in the Judicial Power, in the oil industry, and in some municipal mayors’ offices of the country”, states the communiqué.

On the same Friday, in the middle of an act broadcasted by the State channel, Maduro called on his cabinet ministers to “stick to ethics”.

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“They have to stick to honesty and selfless public service, service as an apostolate to the people because the power we have does not belong to us, the power I have as president does not belong to me, it belongs to the sovereign people of Venezuela. Let us not forget ministers, comrades who have leadership, I hand over to you and I delegate my trust to you”, said Maduro.

Venezuelan opposition leader, Juan Guaidó, reacted by assuring that with the facts, Nicolás Maduro “confesses” again “where the corruption is”.

“No internal struggle will make them wash their hands. They intend to continue stealing and clinging to power, aggravating the daily life of millions. Not even in a series of narcos was there so much brazenness,” he wrote on Twitter.

For his part, also political leader Julio Borges assured from exile that there is an “internal war” in the government to divide a “loot” among “looters”.

“They are not fooling anyone, Venezuela knows that the corrupt are in Miraflores”, insisted Borges in a tweet.

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International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.