Venezuela confirms arrest of former Oil Minister for 'serious crimes'

by IANS |

Caracas, Oct 22 (IANS) Venezuelan authorities have confirmed the arrest of former Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea on charges of committing "serious crimes" that threaten national interests, the Public Prosecutor's Office announced.


Tellechea was taken into custody early on Sunday morning following an "exhaustive scientific investigation," according to an official statement on Monday.


One of the charges alleges that the former official was involved in "the delivery of the Automated Control and Command System" of the state-owned oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), to a company "controlled by the intelligence services" of the United States, reports Xinhua news agency.


The automated system, referred to as the "brain" of PDVSA, plays a critical role in its operations.


Tellechea also served as president of PDVSA from 2023 to 2024 and was appointed minister of industries and national production in August this year, a position from which he was dismissed last Friday.

Latest News
Japan to assign disaster preparedness officers to each prefecture Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 01:19 PM
Mohammad Amir announces retirement from international cricket Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 01:15 PM
India's growth on resilient trajectory, equity markets in consolidation phase Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 01:08 PM
Cop ends life over torture by wife, father-in-law in Bengaluru Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 01:06 PM
Lal Krishna Advani hospitalised at Delhi's Apollo Hospital Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 01:02 PM
PM Modi's appeal to buy Khadi garments leads to huge demand in Bihar's Samastipur Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 01:01 PM
Cong not pursuing politics of vengeance: D. K. Shivakumar on Covid 'scam' FIR Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:59 PM
3rd Test: Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Deep come in as India win toss and elect to bowl first Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:39 PM
Senior Cong leader EVKS Elangovan passes away in Chennai Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:32 PM
3rd Test: Day one's play at the Gabba called off due to persistent rain Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 12:27 PM
Flu virus can remain infectious in refrigerated raw milk for 5 days: Study Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 11:57 AM
Japan: Citizens protest US military-related sexual violence Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 11:51 AM
realme 14x sets new durability standards with first IP69 under Rs 15,000 Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 11:23 AM
Buy on dips strategy working well in Indian stock market amid sharp rebound Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 11:20 AM
Sri Lanka concludes sovereign bond restructuring Sat, Dec 14, 2024, 11:15 AM