They reveal the irregularities that dot the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA

State company for years Petroleo de Venezuela (PDVSA) is mired in the worst crisis in its history, between accusations of corruption and serious management problems. A report by several local media reveals the irregularities that have affected the state oil company.

While the regime of Nicolás Maduro invents authoritarian maneuvers to avoid US sanctions and paradoxically celebrates as a victory the arrival of foreign ships with fuel to alleviate the shortage of the country with the largest proven oil reserves in the world, it hides that Hundreds of millions of Venezuelan dollars have been involved in business with oil tankers. Many are not even on duty. They never sail.

Among the faces of this shameful story are those of Asdrúbal Chávez, brother of the late president Hugo Chávez, current president of the state oil company and who, before taking office, held key positions of responsibility in the fleet; the one of Rafael Ramirez, who led the oil company and ministry when millionaire businesses were forged; is that of Wilmer Ruperti, one of the entrepreneurs most benefited from the contracts for the fleet and who today reappears as a savior in the crisis. A sea of ​​irregularities at PDVSA, the once powerful company that left its past as one of the richest oil companies in the world.

This is one of the largest and most unknown chapters of the hemorrhage of public funds under Chavismo in Venezuela. The journalistic project shows the loss of $ 3.7 billion in public assets, due to the payment of non-built ships, surcharges, administrative disorder, beached boats.

This research was supported by approx 350 PDVSA internal audit documents carried out on oil tanker construction and charter projects, as well as in more than 18 interviews with high altitude captains and other specialized sources.

The portal The Pitazo summarizes some of the research findings:

-Pdvsa’s fleet is sailing in a sea of ​​irregularities. Mismanagement resulted in the loss of $ 3.7 billion.

-In 2005 Hugo Chávez approved the construction of 18 tankers in Argentina, Brazil, Portugal and Iran for an amount of 1,200 million dollars. PDVSA advanced more than $ 500 million and only received one ship late. In Argentina and Brazil, two tankers remain stranded.

-As of early 2020, among sanctions, 46 ships supported PDVSA’s maritime and river transport, although only three were owned by the Venezuelan state.

-128 oil tankers, 22 owned by the state company and the rest of the foreign companies, served for PDVSA from 2015 to 2017.

-In Portugal, the Negra Matea ship has been blocked for repairs since 2017. Six other ships remain anchored in Venezuela. This resulted in the loss of $ 75 million.

-Pdvsa paid $ 177 million in goods to two tankers purchased with 95% of Venezuelan money. This freight transport activity took place as part of a joint venture between Cuba and Venezuela.

-An internal audit report from PDVSA reveals that $ 1.8 billion of operating expenses have been lost out of budget in the case of smaller vessels and ships.

The report was made by Alianza Rebelde Investiga (ARI), (El Pitazo, Runrunes, Tal Cual) and Connectas

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