Readers may remember "Maletagate" the now infamous Alejandro Antonini who was caught entering Argentina with $800,000 in undeclared cash in his suitcase.
At the time various individuals were named who had close association with the Chavez government and have also recently obtained significant financial wealth. It was also claimed the money was destined to the campaign of Cristina Kirchner, who now is Argentina's president.
Today we were treated to a new twist, apparently the FBI have been busy doing an investigation into the money since some of the individuals live in Miami and are now being accused of not registering as foreign agents. Probably the biggest source of concern for the Chavez government is this statement from the Financial Times:
According to an affidavit signed by an FBI agent, the defendants told Mr Antonini, who has not been charged, that high-ranking Venezuelan government officials, including the office of the vice-president, members of the intelligence services, and a high-ranking official from the justice ministry of Venezuela, were aware of the matter.
Not only that but the Justice Department in their Criminal Complaint state that the Venezuela intelligence services played a role in the matter and that the money was indeed destined to help the campaign of Kirchner. The DoJ is asking the five individuals be denied bail since they constitute a flight risk.
Of course the Foreign Minister of Venezuela has moved swiftly to accuse the US. government of investigating the matter in order to damage its relations other South American countries. At least its good to see that the Chavez government isn't denying their involvement in the matter, just that the US has picked a "convenient" time to announce the arrests.
Like most of the businessmen that have been popping up in the Venezuelan news they tend to have "companies" registered in Miami. One the individuals named by the Justice Deparment is a Rodolfo Wanseele who has registered a company called Wanpac, INC. It also looks like he has a nice Condo. in Miami at
210 Fontaine Bleau Blvd
#412
Miami FL, 33172
also registered with him are a Maricela O. Miliani and Maricela Olivar - same person but for some reason they dropped the Miliani
More links can be had by visiting VenezuelaToday on the link section on the right.
|