Alvaro Pulido arrested in US custody in Miami bribery case
Alvaro Pulido was taken into federal detention in Miami on Sunday to face foreign corruption charges. His capture follows a multi-agency probe into massive kickbacks tied to state contracts in Venezuela.
An investigation led by the DEA, FBI and Homeland Security Investigations agencies resulted in the action. Nicole Navas Oxman, a Homeland Security Task Force spokesperson, confirmed the arrest on Sunday.
Oxman did not explain how Pulido entered American hands. He will make his initial court appearance Tuesday in Miami.
Federal grand juries indicted the Colombian-born businessman in Miami federal court in 2019. Prosecutors indicted him again in 2021.
Those charges arose during an inquiry into his longtime business partner, Alex Saab. The DEA and State Department offered up to $10 million for information leading to Pulido’s arrest.
Prosecutors allege Pulido and Saab formed offshore shell companies to funnel bribes to top allies of ousted President Nicolás Maduro. Those bribes bought contracts to import food, medicine and low-cost housing, prosecutors allege.
Venezuelan authorities arrested Pulido in 2023. That arrest occurred during a broad corruption crackdown inside state oil company PDVSA.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez led that probe while serving as vice president. She took over as acting president following the American military ouster of Maduro in January.
Venezuelan officials have remained silent. This shows the challenge Rodríguez faces with ruling coalition members who oppose American efforts to round up wanted Venezuelan insiders.
Saab was deported to the United States by Rodríguez in May. He pleaded guilty last month in a related bribery case.
Saab agreed to forfeit $195 million in proceeds. He also agreed to cooperate against Maduro and others.
An initial court appearance allows a federal magistrate judge to formally read pending charges to a defendant. The court also determines legal representation and considers pretrial detention rules.
Federal officials in Miami continue to process the case.
