The Majed and Khaled Khalil Majzoub brothers, both of Lebanese origin, are among those being investigated for embezzlement at Petróleos de Venezuela (Pdvsa), allegedly linked to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, according to sources close to the case.
View of the entrance of the Petroleos de Venezuela (PDVSA) headquarters, displaying portraits of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (L) and current President Nicolas Maduro (R) in Caracas, on December 2, 2022. – Chevron signed contracts to continue operations and production activities in Venezuela after receiving a license from the United States to partially resume activities in this embargoed country, the Venezuelan government reported. (Photo by Miguel ZAMBRANO / AFP)
According to the investigation, they launched more than 11 vessels primarily carrying fuel oil and crude oil. These are among the groups operating in Pdvsa without experience, under the pretext of sanctions. They politically manage the entire supply of food bags for the CLAP network.
Embezzlement at Pdvsa
Majed’s oil operator was identified as Arturo Sarmiento, a Venezuelan living in London. Due to a lack of structure, Sarmiento reached out to Ditpsy Molina Tamayo, who holds dual nationality (Venezuelan and Greek), and is the sister of Carlos Molina Tamayo from Rafael Ramírez’s Pdvsa, who offered them her structure.
The companies owned by Molina Tamayo are Ocean Five Ltd. UK, Five Oceans Trading LLP UK, Five Oceans Management LTD UK, Five Ocean Services LTD UK, and Five Oceans Trading LTDA Brazil.
Through Montmagastre Ventures LTD, controlled by the brothers Majed and Khaled Khalil Majzoub, Pdvsa contracted to load a series of vessels with Merey 16. There are three ships: MT Kelly (VLCC), MT Berlina (Suezmax), also known as Mars A, currently waiting in international waters near Venezuela for work to enter the country; and MT Ndros (VLCC), which is a false name used in a new modality at Pdvsa, for ships that later disappear at sea.
While they are not officially listed, these three vessels belong to Joaquín Leal Jiménez and Alessandro Bazzoni (both sanctioned by the U.S.) in partnership with Greek shipowners.
The fourth vessel is MT Cecilia (Suezmax), now referred to as Lucía A.
This vessel was offered on charter by Miguel Silva (partner and operator of Diosdado Cabello) to Majed Khalil through his company Misil Group LTD. It was loaded with Merey 16 and was discharged due to non-payment, as the Energy Minister stalled payment.
The owners of this ship are Alessandro Bazzoni and George Moundreas. Payment and authorization discussions were understood to be with Antonio Pérez Suárez.
Investigating allegations of corruption
The Public Ministry announced on Sunday that it will investigate a group of officials who were detained by the National Anti-Corruption Police, who are “allegedly involved in serious acts of corruption.” No details were provided about the identities of the accused or how many there are.
In a statement released by the Attorney General, Tarek William Saab, on his Twitter account, the Public Ministry indicated that “national prosecutors 50, 67, 69, 85, and 94 with competence in corruption matters, organized crime, human rights, and full competence have been appointed to lead the investigation.”
“The illicit activities under investigation correspond to different branches and levels of the Public Power,” he said. He also assured that “they involve strategic sectors for national development and the administration of justice.”
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