Raul Gorrin Belisario, a prominent Venezuelan media mogul and owner of the pro-government news network Globovision, has been charged by the United States with laundering hundreds of millions of dollars. The indictment, announced by the Justice Department, alleges that Gorrin participated in a $1.2 billion scheme to launder corrupt funds obtained from Venezuela’s state-owned energy company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA).
Key Takeaways
- Raul Gorrin Belisario faces charges for laundering corrupt oil money.
- The scheme allegedly involved $1.2 billion in illicit funds.
- Gorrin is currently at large and could face up to 20 years in prison.
- This is not Gorrin’s first encounter with U.S. law enforcement.
The Justice Department’s announcement highlights Gorrin’s alleged role in enriching corrupt Venezuelan officials through bribes in exchange for favorable currency exchange rates. According to Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M Argentieri, Gorrin’s actions exploited the U.S. financial system to facilitate these crimes.
Gorrin has been on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s “Most Wanted List” since 2020, when he was first charged with money laundering and violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The earlier charges included accusations of bribing senior Venezuelan officials, with payments made in various forms, including:
- Wire transfers
- Luxury items such as private jets and yachts
- High-end watches
- Real estate
The indictment states that Gorrin and his associates orchestrated these bribery payments from South Florida, with some funds transferred to bank accounts in Florida and New York. Despite the charges, Gorrin managed to evade arrest and was later reported to be living in Caracas, Venezuela.
The U.S. government has been actively pursuing high-ranking Venezuelan officials accused of corruption, particularly those aligned with President Nicolas Maduro. In September, the U.S. imposed sanctions on 12 officials linked to Maduro, accusing them of facilitating fraud during the disputed presidential election that declared Maduro the winner. Opposition groups, however, contest the election results, claiming their candidate was the true victor.
As the situation unfolds, the U.S. continues to apply pressure on the Maduro regime, seeking accountability for alleged corruption and human rights abuses. Gorrin’s case exemplifies the broader issues of corruption and governance in Venezuela, as well as the international community’s response to these challenges.
The outcome of Gorrin’s case could have significant implications for U.S.-Venezuela relations and the ongoing fight against corruption in the region. Should he be apprehended, the legal proceedings will likely shed light on the intricate web of corruption that has plagued Venezuela’s political and economic landscape for years.
Sources
- play, Al Jazeera.
