Switzerland extradited Argentina to the United States for laundering millions of dollars for the Chavista regime

The US Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) confirmed on Thursday Extradition and arrest of Luis Fernando Fotif Garcia of Switzerland, the Argentine accused of laundering $1,200 million “obtained through corruption” by Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA.

According to the indictment, he worked with Votif Garcia, 51 Ralph Steinmann, 48 years old and a Swiss national. Both were investigated for “conspiracy to commit money laundering” through an international scheme to launder illicitly obtained money. The case has been christened as a “money flight” operation.

But this is not the only criminal connection of Votive Garcia. The businessman also conducted business deals with financier Nestor Ramos, who was tried in the Money Route K case.Lazaro Baez was sentenced to 12 years in prison for money laundering in Switzerland. However, the European country is refusing to extradite Ramos due to his delicate health condition.

With regard to the investigation of money laundering of the Chavista regime, international justice concluded that Between December 2014 and August 2018, Vuteff García and Steinmann conspired with others to launder proceeds through an illegal bribery scheme using the US financial system.as well as many bank accounts located abroad.

When the case came to light, the US Department of Justice released a statement detailing the operation carried out by the Argentine who is currently in US custody: “The conspirators laundered illicit proceeds in connection with a corrupt foreign exchange scheme that included bribing Venezuelan officials.”It is to explain.

Vuteff García, Steinmann, and others involved allegedly agreed to create the “sophisticated financial mechanisms” and relationships needed to launder more than $200 million related to the scheme, as well as to open accounts or on behalf of at least two Venezuelan government officials to receive them. Pay the bribe.

The Swiss is still a fugitive from justice and Fotif Garcia is the only detainee in the case so far. Pending trial, if found guilty, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison for “conspiracy to commit money laundering”.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Vuteff García worked as a digital, sports and entertainment business consultant in Spain, where he was living until recently before his arrest and where he was facing a court process on parole. Previously, he worked as a corporate auditor in Argentina, holding positions at the Fiat, Peugeot and Citroen car companies.

Vuteff García is a married couple of Antonietta Ledezma Capriles, daughter of former Caracas Mayor Antonio Ledezma, and they have two children. In addition, they both have Fundación Crecer sin Fronteras in Madrid, which aims to take care of children of immigrant families in Spain.

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