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.

Venezuela: Central Bank transfers $2 billion sovereign bond to Tony Caplin / Kellmar Limited

Daniel writes in to say that I should provide a bit of an explanation for why this should be a scandal. I guess that the reason would be that it is simply not normal for a Central Bank, to transfer free and clear, ownership of a sovereign bond, worth $2 billion, to a recently formed limited company with a share capital of £2,000, managed by an individual (Tony Caplin) who appears as inactive in the Financial Services Authority register.

[Read UPDATE] Some context of actors provided to facilitate further investigations in respective jurisdictions.

 
Banco Central de Venezuela (BCV): Venezuela's Central Bank [link].
 
Nelson Merentes: Current President of BCV [link].
 
Eudomar Tovar: First Vice President of BCV [link].
 
Kellmar Limited: Isle of Man registered, £2,000 limited company [link].
 
James Ellwood: Director of Kellmar Ltd [link]. Board member of Momentum Pensions Ltd [link].
 
Anthony Lindsay Caplin: a.k.a. Tony Caplin [link]. Former Chief Operating Officer of the Conservative Party [link]. Formerly with Panmure Gordon [link]. Director of Kellmar Ltd since 29 March 2011 [link]. Current Chairman of North West London Hospitals NHS Trust [link]. Current member of the Medical Research Council [link]. Current Commissioner of the Public Works Loan Board [link]. Currently inactive -as individual AXC01538 - Anthony Lindsay Caplin- according to the Financial Services Authority register [link].
 
Ramon Carpio Carvajal: Vice President of International Operations of BCV [link].

Ira D. Pruitt Jr: Attorney for Kellmar Ltd and Tony Caplin [link].

Rosallyn Hazelle: St. Kitts & Nevis Ambassador and Permanent Secretary Industry, Commerce, and Consumer Affairs [link].

 
Credit Suisse [link].
 
Sovereign Bond: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, 9.250, 07/05/28, ISIN USP17625AB33, common code 036133678 [link].