Chavez Caught Red-Handed?
US authorities are charging four suspects, three Venezuelans and a Uruguayan, with funneling illegal cash contributions to the Argentinian presidential campaign of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who was sworn in as Argentina's president Monday. The investigation was launched when a Venezuelan businessman, Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, was caught at the airport in Buenos Aires in March with $800,000 in cash. The four suspects are alleged to have traveled to Florida to threaten Wilson into silence. They also, charmingly, threatened to kill the man's children.
The four suspects are accused of having traveled to Florida, where Antonini owns a home, to pressure him to conceal the truth about the cash, according to court documents. Two of the men — Carlos Kauffmann and Moisés Maionica — allegedly told Antonini that Argentine and Venezuelan authorities would pursue him if he denied that the funds were his but that he would be protected if he remained quiet.
"Carlos Kauffmann advised Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson that the consequences of Antonini's future actions might put the life of Antonini's children at risk," said the criminal complaint, which was prepared by the FBI. Referring to Venezuela's state oil company, it said, "Moises Maionica advised Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson that PDVSA would pay for all the expenses and financial penalties that Antonini might incur as a result of the seizure of the $800,000."
The four men have been charged with being unregistered foreign agents in the United States. Two of them, including Maionica, have denied the charges, according to the Associated Press. The others have asked for court-appointed attorneys.
Ch¿vez has often voiced his support for leftist candidates, but he has always denied bankrolling their campaigns, despite allegations by some leaders in the region.
"Clearly he has a lot of money and clearly he has a regional political agenda, but there's never been concrete evidence of him supporting campaigns," said Michael Shifter, a Washington-based analyst who closely tracks Venezuelan issues. "I think if this were proven true, and if this were established, then this would be a significant change and would mark a real departure in the conversation up until now."
Chavez makes the mafia look civilized. If this case stands up in court, Chavez will suffer a black eye in the entire region. Even the fact that someone has finally been caught this way indicates trouble for Chavez. Of course, Chavez has enjoyed rather a lot of influence with a certain American with a famous name for quite some time by providing discount oil. And Hollywood stars are even cheaper to influence.
Crime, World news | Gaius Thursday, 13 December , 2007
By Maggie, Thursday, 13 December , 2007 @ 8:23 am
I wonder which democrat candidate is enjoying Hugo’s generosity …
By Bithead, Thursday, 13 December , 2007 @ 8:24 am
I doubt it. If his criminality hasn’t raised any eyebrows yet, I doubt it will. The Clintons are certainly in that category, these days as well. When more charges of criminality come out, they take it as a resume enhancement.
By Rich Horton, Thursday, 13 December , 2007 @ 12:14 pm
The Argentinians may not like the U.S. very much, but I’m sure they wouldn’t take Venezuelan influence into their domestic politics more kindly than any alleged U.S. meddling.
But, hey, the revolution is the revolution, no matter how many children you may have to murder. The very idea probably warms Danny Glover’s heart.
By martian, Thursday, 13 December , 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Maggie has asked a good question. If Chavez has been bankrolling South and Central American candidates (and this story would seem a good indication in that direction) why would anyone think he is stopping at South and Central America? We KNOW that he has a major interest in US politics and regularly tries to influence them with both rhetoric and his actions (oil to heat the homes of the poor, etc.). Some deep digging aught to be done in all of the candidates’ financing. My bet is that he is funneling money to more than one Democratic candidate.