Venezuela's top prosecutor announced the arrest of a former oil minister, accusing him of collaborating with the U.S. government to undermine the country's oil industry. The former oil minister, who took office in January 2023, was detained along with individuals from his inner circle. Specific charges were not disclosed by the Attorney General.
The former oil minister's tenure ended in August when he was reassigned to a different role by President Nicolás Maduro. The Attorney General accused him of delivering PDVSA's command and control system to a U.S.-controlled company, allegedly violating national sovereignty. The command system was described as the 'brain' of PDVSA, although no evidence was provided to support the allegations.
The former oil minister took office following the resignation of his predecessor amid corruption allegations. Maduro appointed a new minister who had been pardoned by U.S. President Joe Biden as part of a prisoner swap. The new minister had been in custody since 2020 on money laundering charges.
This latest development underscores the ongoing challenges facing Venezuela's oil industry, which plays a crucial role in the country's economy. The accusations of collaboration with the U.S. government have raised concerns about potential impacts on the industry's operations and national sovereignty.
