Fugitive businessman taken into US custody in Venezuela bribery case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 14:43 · Archive

Alvaro Pulido, wanted for allegedly bribing Venezuelan officials, has been taken into US custody.

Alvaro Pulido, 62, a Colombian-born businessman wanted for allegedly paying bribes to top Venezuelan officials in exchange for state contracts, has been taken into US custody. He was indicted in Miami federal court in 2019 and again in 2021 as part of an investigation into his longtime business partner, Alex Saab, an ally of ousted President Nicolás Maduro. The US Drug Enforcement Administration and State Department had been offering a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to his arrest.

Pulido was taken into custody following an investigation led by the DEA, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. It was unclear how he ended up in US custody. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday in Miami.

Prosecutors allege that Pulido, together with Saab, created a network of offshore shell companies to funnel bribes to top Maduro allies in exchange for contracts to import food, medicine and low-cost housing. US Attorney General Todd Blanche said Pulido's alleged actions showed 'a blatant disregard to the Venezuelan people by corrupting government programs intended to provide critical food, medicine, and housing for personal enrichment'.

Venezuelan authorities have so far been silent about the arrest. Saab, Pulido's business partner, was deported to the US by acting President Delcy Rodríguez in May.

How it is being reported

• Fugitive businessman taken into US custody in Venezuela bribery caseA businessman wanted in the US for allegedly bribing top Venezuelan officials has been taken into custody A businessman wanted for years in the US for allegedly paying bribes to top Venezuelan officials in exchange for lucrative state contracts in Venezuela has been taken into custody. Alvaro Pulido was indicted in Miami federal court in 2019 and again in 2021 as part of an investigation into his longtime business partner, Alex Saab, a one-time ally of ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro . The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the state department had been offering a reward…Guardian World · 12 Oct, 14:14
• Fugitive wanted for allegedly bribing Venezuelan officials taken in U.S. custodyAlvaro Pulido was indicted in Miami federal court in 2019 and again in 2021 as part of an investigation into his longtime business partner, Alex Saab, a one-time ally of ousted President Nicolás Maduro.CBS News · 11 Oct, 20:36

In this story: Alvaro Pulido · Alex Saab · Nicolás Maduro · Delcy Rodríguez · Venezuela · Miami · US Drug Enforcement Administration · FBI

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