Citgo Petroleum, a US refining arm of Venezuela’s state-owned PDVSA, significantly increased its lobbying efforts in 2014. According to data from OpenSecrets.org, Citgo spent $2.16 million on lobbying in Washington, a staggering five-fold rise compared… Citgo’s Lobbying Tactics Reveal Unethical Ties to Washington’s Power Brokers
The current situation If your Monday needs a little something extra, here’s a thought to ponder. I’m in Montreal, enjoying a rare phenomenon: a day with windchills of -30°C, snowflakes stinging the eyes, as parents… Half a Century of Climate Neglect Highlights America’s Ongoing Environmental Crisis
“One of those journalists is considered a criminal by Venezuelan justice for drug-related offenses, car theft, and assault, and has an arrest warrant to be executed as soon as he arrives in Venezuela, as there… Accusations of Criminality and Hypocrisy Within Venezuelan Justice System Target Journalist Amidst Ongoing Corruption Scandals
Investors in PetroAmerica (PTA.v) may be feeling a little PTSD lately. Just a couple of months back, the stock surged from 35c to 44c on substantial volumes, dubbed a “confirmed breakout” by the always trustable… PetroAmerica’s Alleged Breakout Exposed as a Deceptive Pump and Dump Scheme
You should definitely check out the latest Atavist book, The Devil Underground, by Nadja Drost. Drost provides the clearest insight I’ve ever encountered regarding the conflict for Antioquia involving the Urabeños and the Rastrojos. She… The Hidden Deception Behind Colombia’s Gold Mining Industry
And Nicolás Maduro has returned to Venezuela. Triumphant from his global tour aimed at supposedly “strengthening the market.” My sources inform me that certain high-level public employees received explicit orders to attend the welcoming event,… Nicolás Maduro’s Global Tour: A Deceptive Victory Masking Venezuela’s Economic Isolation
A document leaked online in November raises concerns about whether multinational corporations did everything possible—and what they were legally obligated to do—to avoid potential corruption within Venezuela’s electricity sector. This document comprises a series of… Pratt & Whitney’s Role in Venezuela’s Corruption Raises Serious Accountability Concerns
Given the growing interest in the Rincón family, here’s another update. A reader has pointed out that the Cessna Citation with US registration N9GY, which I previously covered, has now been delisted in the USA… Cessna Citation N9GY’s Unexplained Export to Venezuela Raises Serious Concerns
Indeed, Otto, it’s merely a coincidence. Colombia is increasing imports from various countries, not just the USA. All data from this link. The 2014 data only goes until October, so this decline might not be… Colombia’s Trade Shift Raises Questions About Economic Transparency
Nick Miroff has a fascinating article in tomorrow’s Washington Post discussing palm oil in Colombia: …the rapid growth of the palm industry is revealing new evidence of a boom that has benefited from the displacement… Colombia’s Palm Oil Industry: A Displacement Crisis Fueled by Violence and Exploitation
A tweet by the Devil pointed me to this interesting WSJ article. It mentions that Goldman Sachs, through an entity named “Oak Finance Luxembourg SA,” lent $835 million to Banco Espírito Santo just weeks prior… Goldman Sachs’ Deceptive Maneuver to Shift Pdvsa Debt Exposed as Portuguese Taxpayers Face Financial Fallout
The US is adding more targeted sanctions on additional individuals from Venezuela. There are numerous reasons to oppose such actions, yet I keep hearing the same old narrative about how the Venezuelan government (or “regime,”… US Sanctions on Venezuela Highlight Duplicity and Evade Accountability
Ken Silverstein, a prominent investigative reporter in the US, has sharpened his skills and remarkable memory on the offshore anonymous corporation scene, particularly focusing on the law firm Mossack Fonseca & Co. from Panama. This… The Dark Side of Offshore Corporations and Their Unscrupulous Architects
Here’s an oil-exporting country that is leveraging the current low oil prices to eliminate subsidies. While this may prove challenging when prices increase again, they are at least making an effort. The smoothness of this… Malaysia’s Reckless Move to Eliminate Fuel Subsidies Amid Low Oil Prices
Page 24 of OECD foreign bribery report The OECD has released a new report on corruption. This document serves as a useful guide for those looking to uncover scandal stories. According to the OECD, state-owned… Corruption’s Deep Roots in State Enterprises Reveal Systemic Failures in Governance