Pequiven President Pedro Rafael Tellechea during a worker's assembly at Monómeros headquarters in Barranquilla, after Venezuela officially regained control of the important asset. Photo: Twitter/@BorisCastellano.
Through a statement released on Monday, Venezuela’s Public Prosecutor announced the arrest of Pedro Tellechea “along with his closest collaborators” for the alleged commission of “serious crimes that threaten the highest interests of the nation.”
The statement explained that the arrest was made “following investigations carried out in strict compliance with the law.”
Tellechea is accused, among other crimes, of delivering the Automated Control and Command System, known as the brain of Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), to a company controlled by the United States intelligence services. Thus, the prosecutor stated that these actions violate “all legal mechanisms and our national sovereignty.”
Tellechea was president of Petróleos de Venezuela and the Ministry for Petroleum until late August 2024. Until last week, he occupied the post of minister of industry and national production until last week. He was replaced by Alex Saab.
Below is the full in official translation of the statement signed by the Attorney General of Vemeziela, Tarek William Saab:
The Public Prosecutor’s Office informs the national community that Pedro Tellechea Ruiz was arrested early yesterday morning following an exhaustive investigation, along with his closest collaborators, for the commission of serious crimes that threaten the highest interests of the nation. Among the various cases against him, the delivery of the Automated Command and Control System, known as the brain of PDVSA, to a company controlled by US intelligence services stands out, thus violating all legal mechanisms and our national sovereignty.
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These actions by the Public Prosecutor’s Office have been carried out in strict compliance with the law, with the full constitutional cooperation of the head of state, in the ongoing battle to defend the institutional integrity of the country.
OT/JRE/SL
