Message to INFODIO readers: investigative journalism, which is what this site does, takes lots of time. Visiting media looking for a quick run down on Venezuela's gargantuan corruption, have the decency to at least cite the source when plagiarising this site's content without attribution (exhibit Reuters here and here, exhibit Bloomberg here, exhibit OCCRP here). To all readers, do the right thing, the honest thing: support independent investigative journalism, help us expose rampant corruption. Note added 28/06/2021: impostors are using this site's former editor's full name, and a fake email address (alek.boyd.arregui@gmail.com) to send copyright infringement claims / take down requests to web hosting companies (exhibit Hostgator). The attempt is yet another effort paid by corrupt thugs to erase information about their criminal activities. Infodio.com has no issues with other websites / journalists using / posting information published here, so long as the source is properly cited.

Otto Reich sues Derwick Associates

[caption align=left]Otto Reich is suing the bolichicos[/caption] UPDATE: read Setty's post here. Setty is reporting over in Twitter that Otto Reich, former U.S. Secretary of State for Latin America and Ambassador to Venezuela, is suing Derwick Associates for racketeering in the US. The targets are the unlikely trio of Alejandro Betancourt Lopez and Pedro Trebbau, the two principals behind Derwick Associates that are so familiar to visitors of this blog. The third person is Francisco D’Agostino, who is the son-in-law of Boligarch megabanker Victor Vargas from Maracaibo. D’Agostino’s father is Franco D’Agostino, famous when I used to live in Venezuela for being one of the most corrupt contractors under Jaime Lusinchi’s government. D'Agostino's Sr apparently took part of his business to Miami, although his Venezuelan connections to Accion Democrática continue to this day: his daughter is married to Henry Ramos Allup.

Re-reading Reich’s December 2012 op-ed on Venezuelan corruption provides some intellectual insight. In Venezuela, borrowing from Gabo, we would call the Herald piece: "Crónica de una muerte anunciada." Stay tuned...