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Raul Gorrin Belisario, it could be argued, is the one boligarch with access to circles that matter in Venezuela: presidency, supreme court, army, intelligence, and boliburgeoisie. As such, he was right in the thick of an "arranged" coup, whereby Juan Guaido and boss Leopoldo Mandela were going to topple Nicolas Maduro. Trump administration officials were au courrant, encouraging the enterprise. Venezuela's Supreme Court Chief, Maikel Moreno, arguably an employee of Gorrin, was in on it. Vladimir Padrino, Venezuela's National Armed Forces boss, also took part.

UPDATED 14/07/2019* - 16/07/2019* | In the ever evolving game of chicken between PDVSA and U.S. sanctions regime, a new player emerges: Singapore's PROCERIUM ENERGY PTE. LTD.  (201732917R).

Check out the stuff below. Further, let's give it the benefit of the doubt. So an "unidentified buyer" buys "several hundred million" worth of otherwise useless debt. We are not told who traded / transacted this either. Almost simultaneously, Guaidó's debt people announced that all debt will be treated equally, that IMF will be asked for help, and funds, and that Venezuela will renegotiate the lot without regard to whether some creditors have favourable rulings. So let's venture a few guesses.

It's got be said: Donald Trump's administration's policy vis-a-vis Venezuela is a monumental failure. It epitomises the saying "empiezan con brío y terminan con escalofrío." By now it is clear that its intended original goal, of removing Nicolas Maduro, has not only failed its objective, but has rallied Russia, China, Cuba, Turkey, Canada, Lima Group and most countries in Europe into an overtly anti Trump's "all options are on the table", baseless stance on acceptable and achievable solutions for Venezuela.

Puzzling turn of events regarding Wilmer Ruperti: after years of legal battles against the Russians in different jurisdictions, freezing orders, settlements, etc., Ruperti is returning the favour, and suing Novoship. In the Commercial Court of the High Court of Justice (case no CL-2018-000824), Maroil and Sea Pioneer, two companies under Ruperti's control, are suing Novoship and a bunch of companies associated to it.

There's been a bit of a corruption scandal in the incipient Juan Guaidó "administration". Rossana Barrera and Kevin Rojas, two people tasked by Guaidó with assisting fleeing Venezuelan army upon arrival in Cúcuta, Colombia, have been playing fast and loose with donations aimed at helping those who have jumped ship. Guaidó is au courrant, has called for a full investigation. Colombian authorities are not happy.

Via a very kind collaborator and Istanbul resident, this site has learned of yet another twist on the topic of gasoline and naphta Turkish imports destined to keep PDVSA running: Grupo IVEEX, the shell controlled by Miguel Silva Perez used in the two-month contract with MCC Petroleum, was sold for 10,000 Turkish lira to tourists-guide Erhan Kap about one month ago.

Further to MCC Petroleum's deals of late with PDVSA, and Claus Ritzenhofen's denial of any business relationship with PDVSA, check out Miguel Josue Silva Perez, proud president of CAVENEX (Venezuela's Chamber of Exporters).