Venezuela Arrested a Manager for Oil Giant Chevron Amid Crackdown Vs. Government Critics
The Nicolas Maduro regime's crackdown against critics continues in Venezuela, and recent reports have shown that last month, a prominent manager for US oil giant Chevron was among those who were arrested. The report of his arrest came days after the Venezuelan government ordered the arrest of staffers for then-opposition presidential candidate Maria Corina Machado.
A report from the Associated Press revealed that Chevron manager and former fighter pilot Alejandro Gonzalez was arrested back on the evening of February 9 after counterintelligence agents raided his home near the eastern oil center of Barcelona in Venezuela.
His family reportedly did not know why he was arrested but only learned why after Maduro's chief prosecutor released a statement that accused him of revealing national security secrets and obstruction of justice.
"I can't stop thinking that this is all a nightmare and isn't really happening," the Chevron manager's eldest daughter, Alexandra Gonzalez, told the AP in an interview in Spain. "We don't know how our dad is doing. We haven't spoken to him, nor has he had access to his chosen lawyers."
Chevron Manager's Daughter Says Her Father Being Part of Anti-Government Plot Is False
Gonzalez is married to human rights attorney Rocío San Miguel, who was the prominent human rights defender whose arrest sparked an international outcry against the Maduro regime. She was accused by Attorney General Tarek William Saab of being a spy.
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Her daughter, two brothers, and another former husband were also arrested, but they were soon released. However, she and Gonzalez remain under custody as they face charges of conspiracy. Several other opposition figures, including Machado staffers, have also been arrested as part of an alleged conspiracy to assassinate dictator Nicolas Maduro.
Meanwhile, Gonzalez's daughter, Alexandra, defended her father, a retired Venezuelan Air Force Colonel. She stated that he is just a "'normal' hardworking professional who fulfilled his boyhood dream for flight in the cockpit of an F-16 and other aircraft he operated while serving in the Air Force."
"How can someone who hasn't been a military officer for 13 years hold any state secrets?" she said. "It makes no sense."
Chevron Has Special Permission To Operate in Venezuela
As for Chevron, which is the only major US oil company operating in Venezuela, it stated that the arrest of Gonzalez had nothing to do with the company and added that it would not comment on personnel matters.
According to Oil Price, Chevron is the only Western supermajor with special authorization to operate oil fields and export from Venezuela. However, the company is starting to be at odds with the Maduro regime, especially when the dictator renewed his interest in the Essequibo region of Guyana.
The two countries are currently in an international standoff, with Chevron operating on both sides of the border. Venezuela is claiming the Guyanese territory, especially after vast amounts of oil and minerals were discovered there.
This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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