A total of 17 individuals among more than 80 accused in the case known as the Pdvsa-Crypto scandal have been included in a list sent by the Public Ministry of Venezuela to INTERPOL, requesting their international search.
So far, the investigations have resulted in approximately 60 arrests, including key figures such as Tarek El Aissami, former Colonel José Antonio Pérez Suárez, who was Vice President of Commerce and Supply of Pdvsa, the deputy Hugbel Roa, a protégé of El Aissami, and Álvaro Pulido, the Colombian businessman and associate of Alex Saab. The latter led a group of international operators that facilitated the marketing of PDVSA’s oil through connections in Turkey, Greece, Rome, and London.
Regarding those involved who have outstanding arrest warrants, the Public Ministry under the direction of Tarek William Saab has referred to 17 individuals. These are:
Alejandro Alfredo Londoño Guerrero: Linked to four companies in Venezuela established between 2005 and 2011. One of them, Asociación Cooperativa La Unión es la Fuerza R.L., signed contracts in 2020 with Gas Comunal, the Socialist Corporation of Cement and Petroleum of Venezuela (PDVSA).
Alessandro Bazzoni: An Italian citizen residing in Switzerland, sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. He owns companies such as Elemental Oil, Elemento Solutions Limited, AMG S.A.S, Serigraphiclab, and United Petróleo Corp, all involved in the international transportation of PDVSA oil despite sanctions.
Joaquín Leal Jiménez: A Mexican citizen, sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department. A partner of Alex Saab, he is currently in charge of the oil-for-food exchange program to supply the distribution of CLAP boxes. Founded Suministros Sustentables de Energía en México (SUMEX), the first private company authorized to resell electricity in Mexico.
José Luis Chávez Calva: A financial operator for Alex Saab and Alessandro Bazzoni. Wanted for handling $8 billion in funds originating from PDVSA corruption in European banks. He primarily used MBaer Merchant Bank with the internal collaboration of Siri Evjemo-Nysveen and Michael Bär.
José Luis Ferrándiz Laya: Linked to three companies, two of which were established in Venezuela between 2009 and 2012, and one in Panama created in 2018. One of his companies, Servicios Integrales de Distribución, C.A., signed a contract in 2016 with the Mérida state government for food distribution at events.
Juan Manuel Afonso López and Manuel Ramón Afonso López: Brothers, directors of nine companies focused on the food sector. Seven were registered in Venezuela between 2004 and 2022, and two in Panama created between 2012 and 2019.
Olvany Marian Gaspari Bracho: Influencer and partner of deputy Hugbel Roa. Linked to a company founded in Venezuela in 2019 connected to the food sector.
Railin Elizabeth Yépez Jaimes: Model known by the artistic name Ely James. She has served as a director of a company in Venezuela established in 2015 and was the head of the “oil dolls” gang that provided high-level prostitutes to politicians.
Rodolfo Moleiro: Partner of broker Moris Beracha and Gustavo Pulido (Bestinvest). One of the first fugitives in the PDVSA Crypto case, he was part of the initial group of arrests and mysteriously disappeared from the country before being presented to the control court.
Ximena Cagide Parada: A graduate of Universidad Católica Andrés Bello (UCAB). Linked to two companies in Venezuela that have contracts with the National Electoral Council (CNE) and with Lácteos Los Andes, a state entity. She also worked at Grupo Hardwell Technologies C.A. (owned by Majed Khalil), a major technology contractor for the state, particularly for the DGCIM and Maiquetía Airport. Founder of the accessory business “Mik Jewerly.”
Yuravic Ravello Machado: Model who was the Líder Girl 2013. Along with Railin Yépez, she led the network that provided high-level prostitutes to the detained deputy Hugbel Roa.
The other four individuals wanted in connection with the case are Eduardo Noriega, Jorge Germán Bonelli, Rodrigo Guerena Bobadilla, and William Rivas.
“All these detainees face charges of misappropriation or diversion of public funds, abuse of office or influence, money laundering, and illegal association,” detailed the Venezuelan Prosecutor’s Office’s indictment.
This scandal is estimated to have caused losses exceeding $21 billion to the nation.