The Daily Journal.- Economist Francisco Rodríguez has denounced an alleged diversion of funds from Citgo’s Simón Bolívar Foundation, which is linked to the political structure formerly headed by Juan Guaidó and to the ad hoc management of PDVSA appointed during that period.
Through a post published on his X account, Rodríguez described as “extremely troubling” an audio recording attributed to Horacio Medina, former president of PDVSA’s ad hoc board, in which he acknowledges the withdrawal of $75,000 from the foundation.
“Extremely troubling is this audio in which PDVSA Ad Hoc president Horacio Medina acknowledges that $75,000 was diverted from Citgo’s Simón Bolívar Foundation to pay for Orlando Viera’s daughter’s wedding,” Rodríguez wrote.
In the audio circulated publicly, Medina states that the transfer was made to the wife of Orlando Viera-Blanco, who served as the diplomatic representative of the structure headed by Guaidó in Canada, and maintained that the money was later reimbursed.
“It was $75,000 ( …) The donation was not made to Orlando, but to Orlando’s wife. I remember that case,” Medina says in part of the recording.
Nevertheless, Rodríguez questioned whether the alleged reimbursement of the funds eliminates the possibility of wrongdoing and emphasized that, if confirmed, the facts could constitute a case of corruption under both Venezuelan and U.S. law.
“Why is this the first time we are hearing about this case? Was this incident reported to criminal and judicial authorities?” the economist asked.
He also questioned why Viera-Blanco would have continued exercising diplomatic functions after the alleged improper use of resources originating from Citgo had become known.
