US sanctioned 7 people and companies linked to corruption in Venezuela

The United States sanctioned seven people and several companies linked to corruption in Venezuela, which include; the Globovision chain and its owner, the tycoon Raul Gorrin, make up the list published by the Treasury Department, as well as the former nurse of Hugo Chavez. “The actors of the regime have plundered billions of dollars from Venezuela while the Venezuelan people suffered,” said Secretary Steve Mnuchin

The US Treasury Department on Tuesday announced sanctions against seven individuals and 23 entities linked to corruption in Venezuela, with a financial fraud that embezzled $2.4 billion from public funds. Among the people targeted by the Donald Trump government are leaders of the government-run Globovision network and former Hugo Chavez’s nurse.

The Treasury statement explained that the measures were taken because of the participation they had in a scheme of bribes. In addition, he pointed to the “corruption of the regime, with privileged information”, in reference to the currency exchange system that prevails in Venezuela.

“The regime’s actors have plundered billions of dollars from Venezuela while the Venezuelan people were suffering. The Treasury is targeting this currency exchange network which is another illicit scheme that the Venezuelan regime has used for a long time to steal from its people,” said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Raul Gorrin, president and owner of the official chain, was sanctioned along with his wife, Maria Perdomo Rosales, who in turn is the sister of Gustavo A. Perdomo Rosales, another Globovision executive listed by the US in the statement.

Miami prosecutors accused Gorrin last year of bribes to officials of the Venezuelan Treasury in exchange for buying dollars at the distorted official exchange rate. According to the record, the tycoon then sold the currencies on the black market, ensuring large profits.

Claudia Diaz Guillen, ex-nurse of Hugo Chavez and ex-treasurer of the Nation, who today resides in Spain and seeks to avoid her extradition to Venezuela, is also sanctioned; and Leonardo Gonzalez Dellan, former president of the Banco Industrial de Venezuela (BIV) between 2002 and 2004. “The United States remains committed to holding those responsible for the tragic decline of Venezuela, and will continue to use the tools to support the efforts of the Venezuelan people to restore their democracy,” Mnuchin said.