Fugitive Businessman Held in US Over Alleged Venezuela Bribery
Colombian-born businessman Alvaro Pulido is in U.S. custody, years after his indictment in Miami. Prosecutors allege he paid bribes to top Venezuelan officials for state contracts.
- 2019 and 2021: years Pulido was indicted in Miami federal court.
- $10 million: reward the DEA and State Department offered for his arrest.
- The DEA, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation.
- 2023: Venezuela arrested Pulido in a corruption crackdown at oil company PDVSA.
Why it matters: Prosecutors allege Pulido and Alex Saab used offshore shell companies to route bribes to Maduro allies. In return, they allegedly won contracts to import food, medicine and low-cost housing.
- Saab pleaded guilty last month and agreed to cooperate against Maduro.
- $195 million: criminal proceeds Saab agreed to forfeit.
- Venezuelan authorities have not commented on Pulido's arrest.
How 6 sources split on this story
Left coverage, 2 sources: The left carries the wire report as a corruption case tied to Maduro's inner circle and Venezuela's post-Maduro politics.
Right coverage, 3 sources: The right runs the same wire report, presenting the arrest as progress in the Trump administration's pursuit of Maduro-era insiders.
What’s next: Pulido is due in Miami federal court Tuesday for his initial appearance.
- Acting President Delcy Rodríguez faces pressure from parts of her coalition to resist U.S. extradition efforts. She deported Saab to the U.S. in May.
- How did Pulido move from Venezuelan detention into U.S. custody?
- Will Venezuela's government acknowledge or object to the transfer?
- Will Pulido also cooperate with prosecutors, as Saab did?
