Four years prison for “Maletagate” defendant

Venezuelan businessman Franklin Duran was sentenced to four years in jail for his role in the “Maletagate” affair.

Duran had been found guilty in a U.S. federal court last November for conspiracy and acting as an “illegal foreign agent.” Prosecutors hoped for at least thirteen years in prison for Duran while his attorneys tried to get a reduced sentence and insisted that he was not a “spy” for the Venezuelan government. Ultimately, however, District Judge Joan Lenard admonished Duran for committing a "very serious offense against the United States'' and included a $175,000 fine in the sentence.

So what did the “Maletagate” case entail? As the Miami Herald’s website explained:

Durán, 41, the only defendant among five Latin American men indicted in 2007 to fight the charges at trial, was accused of traveling to South Florida to lead the coverup of the hemispheric political scandal.

The men were charged with working on behalf of Venezuela's spy agency to silence a colleague, Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, who had been caught with a suitcase stuffed with $800,000 on a plane flight to Argentina in August 2007. Prosecutors said the money was a gift from (Venezuelan president Hugo) Chávez to Argentina's leading presidential candidate, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. She won the election…

Three of his co-conspirators -- including a former business partner who testified against him -- pleaded guilty and received terms of 15 to 34 months.

Image- BBC News
Online Sources- BBC News, miamiherald.com, Bloomberg, The Latin Americanist,

Daily Headlines: January 13, 2009

* Latin America: A survey conducted for Google concluded that Internet usage in Latin America has skyrocketed over the past few years.

* U.S.: Sentencing has been delayed in the case of a Venezuelan businessman convicted last November as part of the “Maletagate” scandal.

* Puerto Rico: U.S. officials have closed off a Puerto Rican island popular with tourists that used to serve as a bombing range between 1930 and 1975.

* Colombia: Recently declassified documents showed that U.S. intelligence knew as far back as 1990 that Colombia’s army was committing extrajudicial killings.

Image- abc.net.au
Online Sources- IPS, New York Daily News, The Latin Americanist, miamiherald.com, La Plaza

Daily Headlines: December 18, 2008

* Latin America: The Rio Group summit ended with a declaration calling for the end of the U.S. embargo on Cuba and "a change in US policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean".

* U.S: A funeral mass was held in New York for Jose Sucuzhañay, the slain Ecuadorian migrant who was recently killed in a despicable attack.

* El Salvador: Free trade and counternarcotics efforts were two of the main topics discussed during Salvadoran president Tony Saca’s visit to the White House on Tuesday.

* Venezuela: An Uruguayan defendant was sentenced to nearly three years in jail for his role in the “Maletagate” incident.

Image- Voice of America (“Some of the Latin American summit participants at the Costa do Sauipe resort, 16 Dec 2008.”)
Sources- Reuters, The Latin Americanist, AFP, BBC News, NY1, Voice of America, El Universal

Daily Headlines: December 2, 2008

* Ecuador: The World Trade Organization upheld a ruling in favor of Ecuador with regards to banana exports.

* Mexico: According to officials at least 37 people were killed in the border city of Tijuana in three days.

* Argentina: Ex-president Carlos Menem has been charged with illegally selling weapons to several countries during the 1990s.

* Venezuela: In the latest chapter of the “Maletagate” ordeal, a Venezuelan lawyer was sentenced to two years in jail.

Image- AFP
Sources- The Latin Americanist, Reuters, MSNBC, BBC News, IHT

“Maletagate” hullabaloo continues

For better or for worse the “Maletagate” brouhaha will not go away.

In the latest chapter of the saga, argentine officials searched the Buenos Aires offices of Venezuelan state-run oil firm PDVSA. According to the Venezuelan press, authorities are trying to figure out who in PDVSA had alleged contacts with money-smuggling businessman Guido Antonini Wilson (image).

Wilson was caught in August 2007 trying to smuggle $800,000 hidden in a briefcase from Venezuela to Argentina. The money was supposedly from the Venezuelan government to fund then-presidential candidate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

In an interview granted to the Argentine press earlier this week, Wilson revealed details of his role in the “Maletagate” scandal:

Antonini Wilson revealed details of a conversation with Claudio Uberti, the “money man” and a top ranking Argentine official and direct liaison between former president Kirchner and Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, the following day after the incident.

“At the hotel in Buenos Aires Uberti told me that Kirchner had asked about me and how I was feeling and that he was prepared to “stand up by me” until the very end”, said Antonini Wilson who accused Uberti of being the man responsible for transporting the money in the Argentine Energy Corporation chartered Lear jet.

Wilson served as the “star witness” at a U.S. federal trial that accused four Venezuelans of trying to cover-up Wilson’s actions. One of them- Franklin Duran- was convicted earlier this month for acting as an “illegal foreign agent.”

Days after being found guilty, Duran filed a multimillion dollar civil suit against Wilson and his wife.

Image- New York Times
Sources- The Latin Americanist, El Universal, MercoPress

Daily Headlines: November 6, 2008

* Colombia: According to CNN the U.S. will withhold aid to three Colombian army units involved in the disappearance of eleven teenagers.

* Latin America: Representatives for the Venezuelan and Argentine governments blasted the conviction of a businessman at the “Maletagate” trial.

* Cuba: Paging William Shatner – Priceline got fined $12,250 for breaking U.S. travel sanctions on Cuba.

* Honduras: A new tropical depression has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and threatens flood-ravaged Honduras along with other Central American and Caribbean territories.

Image- theage.com.au (“On guard: Colombian soldiers watch over a cocaine seizure this week.”)
Sources- The Latin Americanist, CNN, IHT, Bloomberg, forbes.com, Reuters

Venezuelan found guilty in “Maletagate” trial

Venezuelan businessman Franklin Duran was found guilty in a U.S. federal court for his supposed role in the “Maletagate” scandal.

After six days of deliberations, the jury found Duran guilty of the charges of conspiracy and acting as an illegal foreign agent in the U.S. Duran’s lawyer alleged that he would appeal the case and that the trial served as a “political circus.” (These claims were vehemently denied by federal prosecutors).

Prosecutors alleged that Duran had been sent by the Venezuelan government to the U.S. in order to cover-up the actions of U.S.-Venezuelan citizen Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson. Wilson had been caught last year trying to smuggle $800,000 from Venezuela to Argentina, supposedly for President Cristina Kirchner’s campaign. Despite being wanted in Venezuela, Wilson would agree to work with the FBI and testify against Duran.

According to the New York Times:

Whether intentional or not, the eight-week trial in Miami revealed an extensive cover-up effort by Venezuelan officials that reached the highest levels of government, and laid bare a business culture in Venezuela that involves regular bribes and kickbacks to high government officials and members of the military.

The trial provided little in the way of evidence that American national security was somehow threatened by the presence of the Venezuelans, who spent much of their time on the phone and in South Florida restaurants trying to convince the man caught with the suitcase, Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, to keep the truth about the money under wraps.

Duran faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years in jail.
Image- BBC News (Franklin Duran along with four other defendants were arraigned in December 2007)
Sources- The Latin Americanist, MSNBC, Bloomberg, Voice of America, New York Times

”Maletagate” jury at impasse

A U.S. federal jury has been deadlocked for nearly a week in the “Maletagate” trial. ''We cannot reach a unanimous verdict," said a note handed from the jury to Judge Joan Lenard on Wednesday. Her response today advised the jury to keep trying to find a verdict or else the case would be declared a mistrial.

So what is the “Maletagate” case all about? According to Bloomberg:

(Defendant Franklin) Duran, 41, is accused of working as an agent in Florida for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's government without registering with U.S. authorities. He is also charged with conspiring to silence Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson, a U.S. resident. Prosecutors said Antonini carried $800,000 in a suitcase from Venezuela to Argentina in 2007 to help presidential candidate Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who was elected Oct. 28, 2007. The cash was seized at a Buenos Aires airport.

Duran’s attorneys argued that the accusations are untrue and that Duran was set up by the FBI.

Chavez and Kirchner have refuted the allegations of corruption with the Argentine president calling the case “garbage.”

Image- AP (“In this court room illustration, Carlos Kauffmann, the business partner of defendant Franklin Duran, is seen on the witness stand, left, as Duran is seen on right in a Miami courtroom Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008.”)
Sources- Bloomberg, AP, miamiherald.com, washingtonpost.com, BBC News

Daily Headlines: October 24, 2008

* U.S.: Closing arguments began yesterday in the “Maletagate” trial where four Venezuelan defendants are being accused of trying to cover up an alleged money smuggling operation destined for Argentina’s president.

* Peru: The CEO of Norway's Discover Petroleum and 13 other execs have been charged in an oil scandal which led to a government shakeup.

* Mexico: The country’s Senate approved an energy reform plan which may partially privatize state-run PEMEX.

* Haiti: Despite being battered by tropical storms Haiti will not receive debt relief from the World Bank.

Image- AP (“In this court room illustration, Carlos Kauffmann, the business partner of defendant Franklin Duran, is seen on the witness stand, left, as Duran is seen on right in a Miami courtroom Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008.”)
Sources- IHT, Reuters, The Latin Americanist, UPI, miamiherald.com

Is the media’s “Maletagate” coverage sexist?

In the latest development in the “Maletagate” case (previous posts – 1, 2, 3) ex-Argentine airport agent Maria del Lujan Telpuk gave her testimony on Friday to a U.S. federal jury. She recalled discovering the suitcase of Venezuelan businessman Guido Alejandro Antonini Wilson completely full of money which prosecutors alleged was illegally destined to fund the campaign of Argentine president Cristina Fernandez.

Telpuk’s testimony has caught the media’s attention, but what angle do you think they focused on: how she did her job as a security officer responsibly? Or perhaps that her testimony may’ve linked Venezuelan intelligence agents to illicit campaign smuggling? Guess again:

* Guardian UK - "Pin-up girl tells how she spotted suitcase stuffed with cash"

* AP - "Argentine pinup testifies in suitcase scandal case"

* miamiherald.com - "Playboy pinup tells her side in Venezuela suitcase trial"

The media has every right to discuss how Telpuk’s been milking her quasi-celebrity status by posing in Playboy and other “lad” mags. Yet for her fifteen minutes of fame to be the primary focus by the media in such a vital case is misguided and possibly sexist.

The judge in the “Maletagate” case warned prosecutors to maintain “a certain amount of decorum” in discussing Telpuk. Pity the press cannot do the same.

Image- BBC Mundo
Sources- The Latin Americanist, Mercopress, Bloomberg, Guardian UK, AP, miamiherald.com

Testimony: Another suitcase involved in Maletagate case

The alledged courier in the “Maletagate” money smuggling case testified on Tuesday in a U.S. federal court.

Venezuelan businessman Guido Antonini Wilson (image) claimed in his testimony that he told authorities that a suitcase containing $800,000 cash was not his. Antonini also claimed that another suitcase with $4.2 million had been transported and was allegedly destined for the campaign of current argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

As Bloomberg reported earlier today:

(Defendant Franklin Duran) was arrested with three other South American men on Dec. 11. The others have pleaded guilty and said that the Venezuelan intelligence agency, known as DISIP, played a central role in the cash cover-up. Duran faces as much as 10 years in prison on a charge of being an unregistered agent of Venezuela in the U.S. and five years on a conspiracy charge.

As we mentioned last month, Antonini Wilson is wanted for trial in Argentina and the U.S. government has been accused of stonewalling Antonini Wilson’s extradition.

Image- New York Times

Sources- The Latin Americanist, El Universal, Bloomberg

Daily Headlines: September 11, 2008

* Venezuela: “It's a show. The trial is fixed,” declared President Hugo Chavez as he blasted the “Maletagate” trial currently underway in a U.S. federal court.

* Mexico: Telecom billionaire Carlos Slim- reportedly the world's second-richest man- purchased a 6.4% stake in the New York Times Company.

* Guatemala: A U.N. report called for Guatemalan authorities to do more in eliminating the “illegal bodies and clandestine structures encrusted in many public arenas.”

* U.S.: A federal appeals court denied Jose Santos-Lemus’ request for asylum despite his claims that Salvadoran gangs killed his brother and threatened his family.

Image- washingtonpost.com (“Guido Antonini Wilson was detained with nearly $800,000 in cash. (Marcelo Hernandez - Associated Press).”)
Sources- The Latin Americanist, MSNBC, Middle East Times, SFGate.com, New York Times, Reuters

Daily Headlines: September 10, 2008

* U.S.: Should any of us be surprised that the border fence being built along the U.S.-Mexico border could be facing delays and will likely need extra funds to be finished?

* Caribbean: Hurricane Ike moved into the Gulf of Mexico but not before sweeping twice through Cuba and causing widespread damage.

* Latin America: Could a possible “Cold War II” center itself around Latin America? Columnist Andres Oppenheimer thinks so.

* Venezuela: Opening arguments began yesterday in the “Maletagate” money smuggling case.

Image- Fox News (“Utah National Guard help build part of border fence in Arizona.”)
Sources- KTAR.com, Bloomberg, The Latin Americanist, Reuters UK, MSNBC, sacbee.com

Daily Headlines: September 5, 2008

* U.S.: Several New Jersey schools districts illegally ask for proof of citizenship from parents trying to register their children, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.

* Argentina: Aerolineas Argentinas returned to state control 18 years after it was first privatized.

* Venezuela: The “Maletagate” trial opened on Tuesday in a U.S. federal court with four defendants accused of covering up an alleged money smuggling scheme.

* Mexico: The World Trade Organization ruled that Mexican tariffs on olive oil from several European countries are illegal.

Image- Highway Traffic Supply

Sources- Press of Atlantic City, Reuters, AFP, Bloomberg

Warrant issued vs. “Maletagate” suspect

Venezuelan prosecutor Daisy López has issued a bench warrant against a businessman accused of covering-up an election scandal in Argentina. López’ order dictates that local authorities and Interpol should try to capture Guido Antonini Wilson who is wanted in Venezuela for questioning. According to one Venezuelan source, he is supposedly in Miami helping federal officials with their case.

Antonini Wilson (image) was caught nearly one year ago trying to smuggle $800,000 in cash from Venezuela for Cristina Kirchner’s presidential campaign. As a result, he is wanted in Argentina on smuggling and money laundering charges.

Meanwhile, the attorney for one of the defendants on trial in Florida over the “Maletagate” scandal has accused the U.S. government of trying to thwart Antonini Wilson’s extradition to Argentina:

“It appears that the government was stonewalling Argentina about its extradition request,'' Edward Shohat, an attorney for Franklin Duran, said at a hearing yesterday in federal court in Miami…

No promises have been made and there has been no wink and no nod'' over the extradition request, Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Mulvihill said at the hearing yesterday.

Unlike the other defendants, Duran has pled innocent of all charges and has been reported as a “key witness” against the alleged conspirators.

The “Maletagate” scandal has been a convoluted affair with lots of finger-pointing and judicial red tape. Rumors constantly surface over what really happened; defendant Carlos Kauffman had even accused Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez of being “involved in the affair.”

Image- cadenaglobal.com

Sources (English)- The Latin Americanist, eluniversal.com, Bloomberg

Sources (Spanish)- venevision.net, www.2001.com.ve

Daily Headlines: July 1, 2008

* Spain: Soccer 1, sex 0.

* Venezuela: Was President Hugo Chavez “personally involved” in the “Maletagate” scandal?

* Mexico: $400 million in anti-narcotics aid is destined from the U.S. to Mexico as part of the Merida Initiative.

* Brazil: Former first lady and anthropologist Ruth Cardoso died late last month at the age of

Image- The Telegraph (“Lap of honor: Fernando Torres and Sergio Ramos carried the trophy around the pitch.”)

Sources- AFP, New York Times, Bloomberg, Guardian UK

“Maletagate” suspect pleads guilty; debate over Colombian free trade

The main focus of news in Latin America over the past few days has been on Raul Reyes’ death by Colombian forces and the subsequent diplomatic row involving countries like Venezuela. However, a pair of other stories has emerged from Colombia and Venezuela that have caught out attention.

One of the defendants in the “Maletagate” case pled guilty in a U.S. federal court. In his guilty plea, Carlos Kauffmann said that he and four others tried to coerce Guido Antonini Wilson [image] into staying quiet. (Wilson has been accused of smuggling $800,000 in cash from Venezuela to fund the campaign of current Argentine president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

As part of the agreement, Kauffmann’s possible jail time may be significantly reduced and he may not be deported to his native Venezuela.

Meanwhile, a U.S. legislator wants to investigate into the removal of a Colombian judge from "a special tribunal” looking into the deaths of labor leaders. With Congress debating the approval of a free trade pact with Colombia, Rep. George Miller believes that the Uribe administration needs to ensure the safety of trade unionists:

"As the U.S. Congress debates the proposed trade agreement with Colombia, it is essential that we consider whether Colombia is doing everything it can to protect the safety of workers who want to exercise their basic workplace rights without worrying about becoming a victim of violence," Miller said in a statement.

Sources- Reuters, Los Angeles Times, International Herald Tribune, Bloomberg, The Latin Americanist

Image- El Pais

Daily Headlines: February 13, 2008

* Bolivia has been declared a “national disaster” after extensive flooding has killed over 60 people and left more than 40,000 homeless.

* The South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Ray Sanchez examines who could be the successor to Raul Castro in Cuba if he should decide to step down later this month.

* A suspected kidnapper was stoned to death by an angry mob in Haiti.

* The U.S. prosecutes involved in the “Maletagate” case may be forced to testify in Venezuela.

Sources- South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Associated Press, Bloomberg, BBC News

Image- BBC News

Argentina Tries to Extradite (Again) Man at the Center of Maletagate

Maletagate is in headlines again, this time because on Tuesday the Argentine Embassy in Washington D.C. petitioned for the extradition of Venezuelan Guido Antonini Wilson for having smuggling money and money laundering. Now it's up to the U.S. Department of State to decide if the petition meets the guidelines set forth in a 1997 treaty between the U.S. and Argentina. Then the petition needs to be approved by the U.S. Department of Justice. The process could take up to a year.

Sources : The Latin Americanist, El Diario-La Prensa

Five indicted over “Maletagate”

A U.S. grand jury indicted five men charged with acting as “undeclared Venezuelan agents” working in the U.S. The accused- four Venezuelans and one Uruguayan- allegedly tried to cover up the smuggling of over $800,000 destined for Argentina.

In other developments in the “Maletagate” hullabaloo, an Argentine prosecutor claimed that he saw the businessman who tried to smuggle the money at the country’s presidential palace two days after the money was seized. The accusation comes days after prosecutor Maria Luz Rivas Diez said that she would expand the charges against Guido Antonini Wilson to include money laundering.

According to the New York Times, U.S.-Argentina relations have become much weaker as a result of the “Maletagate” investigation:

Thursday’s indictment caps a week in which relations between Argentina and the United States appeared to hit a new low. Mrs. Kirchner has reacted angrily to the investigation, which became public just two days after she was sworn in, saying it is meant to drive a wedge between Argentina and Venezuela.

American officials have denied that the case was brought to try to thwart Mr. Chavez.

Sources- Reuters, The Latin Americanist, Bloomberg, New York Times, BBC News

Image- BBC News