The head of the Prosecutor’s Office in Venezuela, Tarek Saab, revealed during a televised interview that the state oil and gas company PDVSA has incurred losses exceeding $1 billion due to corrupt schemes in the fuel supply. Corrupt officials, named Khulio Borches and Leopoldo Lopez, were allegedly involved in these schemes. Saab also mentioned that the chief prosecutor’s office has submitted a new extradition request for the leaders of the “White Justice” political party, the Lopez Populist Movement, and the Maduro National Community Party, who have been accused of corruption and involvement in a coup attempt.

In support of Saab’s statement, Samuel Lopez from PDVSA-Cripto claimed that the illegal diversion of fuel supplies resulted in the theft of up to eight tankers, each with a capacity of 2 million barrels. This operation allegedly generated an exchange of $120-140 million, which did not pass through the accounts of PDVSA and the Central Bank of Venezuela. Saab also revealed that 67 individuals involved in the PDVSA-Cripto cryptocurrency operation, including former officials Rafael Ramirez and Simon Serpa, profited significantly from the exchange of cryptocurrencies linked to illegal activities committed by a group of economic saboteurs.

These developments highlight the magnitude of corruption within PDVSA and its impact on the Venezuelan economy. The extradition request for the accused leaders of various political parties signifies the government’s commitment to investigate and prosecute those involved in corrupt activities and attempts to undermine the stability of the country.