Despite its vast reserves of oil, Venezuela has to import fuel.
Keystone
Switzerland’s attorney general has opened an investigation into a corruption case involving Venezuela, according to a weekend report published by Schweiz am Wochenende. The Latin American nation is in the grips of a major political, economic and social crisis.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Español
es
Suiza investiga un caso de corrupción relacionado con Venezuela
According to the prosecutor’s statement to the weekly, proceedings were initiated at the end of 2017 against unknown persons “in the context of the events in Venezuela”. The offence is money laundering.
UBS, contacted by Swiss financial news agency AWP, has indicated that it is not aware of the case. Requests for comment from Credit Suisse and Julius Bär have gone unanswered.
The Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) is also reported to be taking action.
Last October, a former employee of Swiss multinational private bank Julius Baer was sentenced to ten years behind bars in the United States for money laundering.
He admitted that he had helped steal about $600 million (CHF600 million) from Venezuela’s national oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA).
Last month, Washington imposed sanctions on PDVSA.
The United States and several other countries have dismissed the re-election of Venezuelan President Nicolas Madura as illegitimate, recognising instead Juan Guaido, the national assembly leader who declared himself interim president of the Latin American country.
Switzerland has not yet recognised Guaido, unlike other European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain.
More
More
Record reached for suspected money-laundering reports
This content was published on
Record number of reports made to the Swiss money-laundering watchdog in 2017, worth a “striking” CHF16 billion ($16.2 billion), the agency has said.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
SWISS cancels flight to Tel Aviv following missile attack near Ben Gurion airport
This content was published on
After a missile landed near Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport, Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) cancelled its flight from Zurich to Tel Aviv on Sunday.
Swiss foreign minister rejects mandatory referendum for EU deals
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis defended the government’s decision to make EU deals subject to an optional rather than a mandatory referendum.
Pro-choice and anti-abortion activists face off in Geneva
This content was published on
Anti-abortion Christian groups held a silent prayer in front of the Geneva train station on Saturday, to the whistles and shouts of pro-choice demonstrators.
Swiss army soldier seriously injured in accident on Simplon Pass
This content was published on
A member of the Swiss army was seriously injured on Friday while manoeuvring a self-propelled howitzer on the Simplon Pass.
Basel attempts world‘s largest over-60s disco before Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
It was billed as a world record attempt for the biggest over-60s disco of all time. But most visitors came to Basel to have fun.
Basel prepares 700 volunteers for the Eurovision Song Contest
This content was published on
Around 320 people took part in one of the two official information events for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel on Friday.
More Swiss soldiers involved in accidents during training in Austria
This content was published on
The Swiss army has reported various accidents involving Swiss soldiers during the exercise “TRIAS 25” in Austria. Some have led to hospitalisations.
Swiss court rules vegan meat substitutes can’t use animal names
This content was published on
Vegan meat substitutes may not bear animal names such as “planted.chicken” according to a ruling by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Minister: Free-trade accord on the cards with US
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Affairs Minister Ignazio Cassis talks possible free-trade agreement and Venezuela while in the United States.
This content was published on
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has doubled its budget for its humanitarian work in Venezuela to CHF18 million.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.