For over a decade, Avior Airlines, one of the leading airlines in Venezuela, has been at the center of accusations related to money laundering benefiting its shareholders. The New York Times has revealed concerning connections between these investors and illicit activities associated with money laundering. Notably, Carlos Kauffmann, one of the airline’s shareholders, stands out in this dark picture. In 2008, Kauffmann was sentenced to 15 months in a Florida prison after being found guilty in a money laundering case.
As investigations progress, revealing links between Avior Airlines, the Venezuelan regulatory agency SUNACRIP, and brothers Jorge and Roberto Añez, shareholders of the airline, come to light. The Añez brothers appear to be involved in alleged money laundering through the use of cryptocurrency from PDVSA via the airline. This complex web of relationships and illegal activities has shaken the foundations of the company and exposed its vulnerabilities.
A look back at key events takes us to 2008, when Carlos Kauffmann was sentenced. Years later, his testimony and that of Moisés Maiónica in the trial against Franklin Durán, a Venezuelan businessman convicted of conspiracy and acting as an unregistered agent of the government, revealed a network of complicities between officials from Venezuela and Argentina. The goal: to conceal the origin and destination of a suitcase containing $800,000 sent by Petróleos de Venezuela to Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s campaign in 2007. This episode strained relations between the United States, Argentina, and Venezuela, triggering a political blame game.
The implication of Avior Airlines in illicit activities has become more evident as investigations continue. Pedro Ferrer, from Lloyd Sudamericano, has been under scrutiny by authorities due to improper transactions involving over $100 million in delays. These sums were distributed among various actors, including the Añez brothers, Jesús Vergara Betancourt, and Colonel Jose Antonio Pérez Suárez, then Vice President of Commerce and Supply at PDVSA, who is currently detained. The Venezuelan prosecutor’s office has initiated a case for financial crimes and money laundering against the owners of Avior, which could result in severe legal consequences if guilt is established.
The impact of these events on public opinion is undeniable. PDVSA, as a strategic company for Venezuela, is directly affected by corruption, eroding the national economy and undermining trust in institutions. This case underscores the urgent need to implement stricter control and transparency mechanisms in the management of state-owned enterprises to prevent future scandals of this magnitude and foster a culture of accountability.
However, the scope of this corruption network has extended beyond the airline. The involvement of the National Superintendency of Crypto Assets and Related Activities (SUNACRIP), the regulatory agency for cryptocurrencies in Venezuela, reveals an even more complex plot. It is alleged that SUNACRIP officials were involved in money laundering through PDVSA’s cryptocurrencies via Avior Airlines. The cousins Jorge and Aleczander Añez, sons of Avior’s main shareholders, have also been linked to a scheme that involved the loan of millions of dollars to the airline from the Venezuelan government, aimed at modernizing its fleet and using it as a front for transporting government officials.
The consequences of these revelations have reached international levels. Avior Airlines faces restrictions on operating in Europe and the United States, leaving its market limited to smaller destinations in Latin America. Furthermore, the establishment of companies by Aleczander Añez in Miami, meant to provide luxury services to Maduro’s regime officials, has raised alarms among U.S. authorities.
The outcome of this complex story has also reached the courts in Miami, where legal battles over control of the airline have unfolded. According to AP, a group of shareholders led by Carlos Kauffmann and Moisés Maionica has won a lawsuit against Jorge Añez and Juan Bracamonte, accusing them of accounting manipulation and illegitimate takeover. This litigation highlights the duality of Avior’s ownership in Venezuela and Colombia, further complicating the scenario.
The shadow of corruption and money laundering in Avior Airlines has persisted for a decade, triggering a series of revelations, legal conflicts, and international sanctions. This series of events demonstrates the complexity of illicit operations and the interconnections among actors at different levels. As the country and the international community observe, it remains to be seen what the outcome of this case will be and how it will impact the airline’s reputation and trust in the involved institutions.