Message to INFODIO readers: investigative journalism, which is what this site does, takes lots of time. Visiting media looking for a quick run down on Venezuela's gargantuan corruption, have the decency to at least cite the source when plagiarising this site's content without attribution (exhibit Reuters here and here, exhibit Bloomberg here, exhibit OCCRP here). To all readers, do the right thing, the honest thing: support independent investigative journalism, help us expose rampant corruption. Note added 28/06/2021: impostors are using this site's former editor's full name, and a fake email address (alek.boyd.arregui@gmail.com) to send copyright infringement claims / take down requests to web hosting companies (exhibit Hostgator). The attempt is yet another effort paid by corrupt thugs to erase information about their criminal activities. Infodio.com has no issues with other websites / journalists using / posting information published here, so long as the source is properly cited.

Chevron employees arrested in Venezuela have no chance of redress

Recently, oil related news about Venezuela have focused on the arrest of two Chevron employees. There were scant details about the arrested. Their names and nationalities have been misreported. Carlos Jose Algarra Villegas and Rene Adrian Vasquez Mora are accused of treason, by the chavista regime, for refusing to sign a no-bid contract -standard procurement practice that comes with stratospheric mark ups- for PDVSA - Chevron joint venture Petropiar. These two men stand no chance of redress for one simple reason: they're both Venezuelan nationals.

Venezuelan jails are full of people that have been arrested on made up charges. Combatting corruption is most certainly not Nicolas Maduro's forte. Venezuelan judiciary does not have a vestige of independence or legitimacy. Due process is non existent. The fact that these are Chevron employees do not make the slightest bit of difference. Within Venezuela's borders the organised crime syndicate known as chavismo does precisely whatever it wants with Venezuelan citizens.