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 INFODIO's former editor's full name, and a fake email address (alek.boyd.arregui at 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.

Compagnie Bancaire Helvetique involved in Alex Saab's corruption

Colleagues from Gotham City have started 2021 in, customary, brilliant style. Their unmissable newsletter into all the dodgy characters that pullulate Switzerland's banking sector comes this week with news about a rather prominent criminal, Alex Saab, and one of the most brazen money laundering establishments in town: Compagnie Bancaire Helvetique (CBH). In short, Saab's became THE importer to provide Nicolas Maduro's regime with foodstuff distributed through the CLAP (gov. subsidised basic food) program. Purchases were often made through CORPOVEX, a State-owned, controlled entity. Saab used many different shells, to import / sell lowest-possible-quality foodstuff with huge markups, however three -yet to be exposed- have appeared in the context of an MLAT request to Switzerland's Federal Tribunal by U.S. Dept. of Justice: Driade SA, Vilex Trading Inc., and Bolcos Universal Corp

The last two are particularly, and hopefully legally painful, for Joseph Benhamou, the thug running CBH. See Benhamou is ear-deep in Venezuela's largest ever ($4+ billion) money laundering scheme (Atlantic - PDVSA), and now, as reported by Gotham City, his 'bank' appears as an intermediary of Vilex Trading Inc. and of Bolcos Universal Corp. This isn't, of course, the only Saab related Swiss angle. Do recall that Saab's Swiss representative (Jean Paul Rivas) tried, according to Francisco Morillo, to negotiate a mega deal with Trafigura (Trenaco). Will Benhamou and his 'bank' ever be brought to justice for services rendered to Venezuela's top criminals? Now, subscribe and go read for more details.

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