Venezuelan Oil Scandal: Arrest of Ex-Minister Tellechea

Former Venezuelan oil minister Pedro Tellechea was arrested for allegedly committing grave crimes against national interests. He was accused of handing over control of parts of the state oil firm to a company linked to U.S. intelligence. Tellechea cited health issues prior to his resignation.

The Venezuelan government has taken decisive action by arresting former industry and oil minister Pedro Tellechea. Attorney General Tarek Saab announced Tellechea's detainment on Monday, citing charges of committing grave crimes against the nation's highest interests.

In an official statement on Instagram, Saab reported that Tellechea was apprehended in the early hours of Sunday along with his closest aides, although no names were disclosed. Allegedly, Tellechea transferred control of parts of the state-owned oil company PDVSA to a firm purportedly linked to U.S. intelligence agencies, a claim Saab refrained from elaborating on.

Tellechea had resigned on Friday, referencing health concerns as the reason. That same day, President Nicholas Maduro announced Alex Saab as Tellechea's successor. Alex Saab, a close ally of Maduro, was released from U.S. custody last year as part of a prisoner swap, where he faced charges related to money laundering.

(With inputs from agencies.)