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 INFODIO's former editor's full name, and a fake email address (alek.boyd.arregui at 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.

May 2023

Rudy Giuliani allegedy sold pardons for $2mn, went halfsies with Donald Trump.

Because we know Giuliani visited Betancourt in Madrid; because we know Giuliani lobbied Trump's Attorney General Bill Barr on Betancourt's behalf; because Giuliani is on record saying Betancourt couldn't be discussed because doing so was a matter of "national security"; the question aftert the title must then be: did the Donald get money from Alejandro Betancourt?

Make sure to read this, and specifically points 94-96 and 132.

Sanctions or no sanctions? Effectiveness and deterrence.

There is a tired debate regarding sanctions. Naturally both camps disregard data inconvenient to their stance. Proponents see sanctions as perfect non-violent measures that bring economic hardship to targets. Opponents see it as demonstrably inefficient tools that invariably end up punishing the wrong people. Both sides are simultaneously right and wrong. Cuba is the perfect case study. Years of U.S. sanctions have achieved precisely nothing against the dictators in power.