Venezuela: 42 arrested in war on corruption

As part of the war against corruption initiated by Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela, authorities recently arrested a total of 42 people, including businessmen and public officials. According to the most recent information, the latest detainees by the government are Pedro Maldonado, president of the Venezuelan Corporation of Guyana, and in charge of the Orinoco Steel Company.Thus, the operation “Caiga quien Caiga”, which began with the arrests on March 17, reached 42 detainees seeking to end corruption within the country. The National Anti-Corruption Police requested with this crusade to prosecute those who “could be involved in serious acts of corruption and embezzlement.” Venezuela’s Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the arrests on his social media as a further success of the plan announced last month. “The Public Ministry of Venezuela achieved – together with the auxiliary organs – the #DETENCIÓN of 42 subjects #vinculados to the various plots of #Corrupción who sought #desfalcar (in their criminal immorality) to the national #economía harming the community in general #MaximaPena,” he wrote. Previously, Saab said that the detainees face sentences ranging from 25 to 30 years, and said that the charges are for “appropriation or distraction of public assets, lengthening or valuing relations of influence, money laundering and association, while public employees will also face charges of treason.” In turn, Karim Khan, prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), announced on Saturday that they will continue with their investigation into Venezuela because there is a basis to believe that crimes against humanity were committed. Prior to this statement, the Venezuelan government denied the accusations against him.

Original source in Spanish