The Attorney General of El Salvador freezes an investigation for money laundering related to the sale of Venezuelan oil implicating Nayib Bukele
The Attorney General of El Salvador has suspended a money laundering investigation concerning Venezuelan oil sales that implicate President Nayib Bukele.
The Attorney General of El Salvador, Rodolfo Delgado, who is also a close ally of President Nayib Bukele, has decided to freeze a money laundering investigation involving Alba Petróleos, a Salvadoran company funded by the Venezuelan government. Investigative findings suggest that President Bukele received approximately $3.3 million linked to this company, raising significant concerns about the transparency and integrity of his administration. This situation is notable, as it touches on the complex and controversial relationships between Salvadoran officials and Venezuelan oil interests.
Documents from the Attorney General's office indicate that the funds Bukele received were directed not only to him personally but also to three companies associated with his family. Bukele has made light of the investigation, dismissing claims that his government has acted improperly by questioning the nature of business transactions between the companies and suggesting that many businesses have received money from Venezuelan sources. His dismissive remarks reflect a strategy to deflect scrutiny while maintaining public support.
The case highlights ongoing issues within El Salvador related to governance, corruption, and the influence of foreign funding, particularly from Venezuela. The lack of progress in the investigation, as asserted by former prosecutors involved in the matter, raises alarms about potential biases in the legal enforcement system and questions about the extent of corruption within the nation's political framework, warranting further investigation and public discourse on these matters.