ADVERTISEMENT

Exiled Venezuelan supreme court 'sentences' President over corruption

The court -- convening in Bogota, the capital of neighboring Colombia -- also fined Maduro $35 billion for legitimation of capital, and another $25 million for corruption, magistrate Rafael Rommel-Gil said.

The court, which was appointed by sidelined opposition legislators but is not recognized by Caracas, disqualified the president from politics for the duration of his sentence and asked that an international arrest warrant be issued.

Maduro's right-hand man, Diosdado Cabello, president of the country's controversial government-dominated superagency legislature, mocked the decision.

"Are they in Colombia saying they can sentence the Venezuela president while Nicolas is still the president? My God!" he said on state television.

ADVERTISEMENT

The case was brought by former Venezuela public prosecutor Luisa Ortega, who fled to Colombia last year after she was sacked by Maduro's loyalist Constituent Assembly.

That body was set up a year ago amidst four months of violent street protests that left 125 people dead, in what the opposition described as a government "coup."

Having lost control of the elected National Assembly to the opposition, Maduro stacked the Supreme Court with loyalists who subsequently annulled every decision the legislature made.

Maduro then created his own legislature filled almost exclusively with regime members who appointed themselves the country's highest political authority.

The sidelined National Assembly, symbolically, appointed it's own supreme court in exile.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Odebrecht benefitted from numerous infrastructure awards planned for Venezuela (that were) paid for but never concluded," said Ortega during Wednesday's court case.

Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht has admitted guilt in a far-reaching corruption scandal across the Americas for bribing politicians to secure inflated construction contracts.

Miami-based Venezuelan magistrates had already "suspended" Maduro in May over the Odebrecht accusations.

The exiled magistrates had in April asked parliament to authorize the prosecution of Maduro, which the National Assembly duly granted. But like all it's other decisions, that was annulled by the supreme court sitting in Caracas.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: eyewitness@pulse.ng

Recommended articles

We’re not stopping - Onakoya extends Guinness World record chess marathon target by 2 hours

We’re not stopping - Onakoya extends Guinness World record chess marathon target by 2 hours

'We have done it': Tunde Onakoya reaches 58-hour mark chess marathon

'We have done it': Tunde Onakoya reaches 58-hour mark chess marathon

Forgive me my papa - Self-acclaimed Hausa traditional ruler kneels to beg Oba of Benin

Forgive me my papa - Self-acclaimed Hausa traditional ruler kneels to beg Oba of Benin

Fubara grows Rivers IGR by over 100%, less than 1 year after Wike's tenure

Fubara grows Rivers IGR by over 100%, less than 1 year after Wike's tenure

Plateau University suspends exams over killing of student

Plateau University suspends exams over killing of student

Nigeria laughing stock of the rest of the world due to insecurity - TY Danjuma

Nigeria laughing stock of the rest of the world due to insecurity - TY Danjuma

APC group claims Tinubu’s initiatives stimulating economic recovery

APC group claims Tinubu’s initiatives stimulating economic recovery

Plateau Gov urges calm after attack that led to death of 200-level PLASU student

Plateau Gov urges calm after attack that led to death of 200-level PLASU student

NAFDAC reopens popular Ibadan supermarket shut for selling unregistered product

NAFDAC reopens popular Ibadan supermarket shut for selling unregistered product

Pulse Sports

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Lionel Messi's son breaks the internet after scoring five goals for Inter Miami

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Naija Stars Abroad: Onyedika, Boniface, and Osimhen shine across Europe

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

Victor Osimhen and Tobi Amusan make list of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Class of 2024

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT