The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) is conducting an investigation into Jesús Alfredo Vergara Betancourt, a Venezuelan businessman suspected of being involved in illicit activities with the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana (CVG), amidst recent corruption scandals. Also under investigation are Jorge and Roberto Añez from Avior Airlines, as well as Jorge Dellan, the cousin of Leonardo González Dellan, former president of the Industrial Bank of Venezuela and sanctioned by the United States.
Europol’s inquiries focus on potential criminal activities related to Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) and the National Superintendency of Cryptoassets (Sunacrip) of Venezuela. It is suspected that brothers Jorge and Roberto Añez, owners of Avior Airlines, participated in an alleged cryptocurrency fraud in collaboration with Joselit Ramírez, former Superintendent of Cryptoassets and Related Activities of Venezuela, who is currently detained due to the PDVSA Crypto case. Reports indicate that millions of dollars in cryptocurrency were allegedly handed to the Añez brothers at a 50% discount, yet these funds were never invested in the airline.
On another note, Roberto Antonio Añez is also being investigated by the U.S. Treasury due to the rental of a Cessna aircraft, registration N496RA, to government officials affiliated with Chavismo. As a result, $11 million in a Wells Fargo bank account has been frozen due to suspicious transactions originating from Panama, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic.
Cessna N496RA owned by Aleczander, Jorge and Roberto Añez.
Regarding Jesús Vergara Betancourt, a Colombian businessman, he was arrested in 2021 by the DGCIM and faces charges of aggravated fraud and conspiracy. Previously, he owned the Lala Foundation, a conglomerate of philanthropic businesses that included a pediatric center, a pharmacy, a sports academy, and a symphony orchestra. He was also the owner of the Lala Football Club, which participated in the Venezuelan first division until it was disaffiliated due to unpaid debts. Although he was known in Bolívar for his social work through the foundation, he now faces legal proceedings for alleged aggravated fraud and conspiracy, related to payment defaults with companies he had financial ties to.