Alvaro Pulido in U.S. custody after hearing in Miami

Colombian businessman Álvaro Pulido Vargas, 62, also identified as Germán Enrique Rubio Salas, appeared on Tuesday, October 13, in a federal court in Miami and remained in the custody of the US authorities after the initial hearing.

Hearing and conditions of detention

Pulido attended the hearing accompanied by his lawyer, chained with feet and hands, wearing an orange prison uniform covered in a khaki suit and sandals. During the session he was informed of his rights and of the 13 charges he faces in two federal charges filed in 2019 and 2021.

Positions and alleged washing schemes

The charges relate to alleged millions of money-laundering and bribes schemes linked to the regime of Nicolás Maduro. The 2019 indictment links Pulido and Alex Saab with an alleged $350 million laundering through popular housing construction contracts and exchange rate operations in Venezuela.

The second charge, presented in 2021, is related to contracts of about $1.6 billion for the supply of food and medicine through the Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP).

Financial operations and contracts

According to the reports of the investigation, financial operations would have allowed the mobilization of resources from Venezuelan government contracts through the international banking system, including movements from accounts in Caribbean jurisdictions such as Antigua and Barbuda, and flows through the US banking system.

Reaction of the U.S. Attorney

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the defendants had paid bribes to Venezuelan officials to obtain government contracts, artificially inflate their costs and transfer profits through international bank accounts.

“His alleged actions show a blatant contempt for the Venezuelan people by corrupt government programs aimed at providing food, medicine and housing critical to personal enrichment and exploiting the US financial system to do so,” Blanche said.

Pre-arrest and transfer to the United States

Pulido had been arrested in Venezuela since April 2023 after being linked to investigations for alleged corruption in Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). The United States authorities have not publicly explained the circumstances of his transfer from Venezuela or how he was placed in federal custody.

His arrival in the United States takes place months after Alex Saab was transferred to American territory in May and pleaded guilty to money laundering in September, after reaching an agreement with the Prosecutor’s Office.

Next judicial stages

The court set a new appearance for 4 November, while the two judicial cases against him continue. To date, the United States authorities have not announced any cooperation agreement with Pulido or indicated that it will be incorporated as a witness in the proceedings against Nicolás Maduro.