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.

What's going on between Venezuela & Turkey?

There's been quite a lot of chatter lately with respect to Venezuela - Turkey relations. Gossip has it that it's due to economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. government on the Nicolas Maduro regime. Some say the trade balance will jump from under $100 million a year to over $2 billion, as per Maduro and Erdogan's new found friendship. Aside from Maduro's very own visit with the Turkish meat-cutting clown upon return from China, sources report that Maikel Moreno, Venezuela's Supreme Court Chief, is also a regular visitor. Moreno's business in Turkey remains to be described.

German Ferrer, husband of Luisa Ortega Diaz, is mentioned as a conduit between Majed Khalil, Turkish Airlines, and Caracas, in setting up Istanbul - Caracas flights. Sources report that Khalil, proxy of Diosdado Cabello and Jorge and Delcy Rodriguez, is heavily invested in hotels and other ventures in Turkey, and is also a regular visitor.

Venezuela's Central Bank chose Turkey's TC Ziraat Bankansi AS for international reserves operations.

Then, there was the bit about gold and other financial deals set up between Banco Central de Venezuela (BCV) and a number of banks in dodgy jurisdictions. In that thread, TC Ziraat Bankansi AS gets a mention, as a participating correspondent bank. Noor Capital, where sources claim kingpin Tareck el-Aisami stashed some stolen funds, was allegedly looking to move chavista money into Turkey. Two names were mentioned: Armando Capriles and Olivier Couriol.

While this was happening, PDVSA was of course circumventing U.S. sanctions by further pawning away the house. Vitol, Lukoil, Rosneft and Trafigura continue to deal with PDVSA as a matter of regular business practice, despite David Boies' and PDVSA fraud lawsuits against those companies.

Tags

Add to Breaking news
Off