LONG KNIVES COME OUT FOR IMPEACHED TSJ JUSTICE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 CARACAS 001892 SIPDIS SIPDIS HQSOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD DEPT PASS TO AID/OTI RPORTER COPENHAGEN FOR DLAWTON E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2016 TAGS: PGOV KDEM VE SUBJECT: LONG KNIVES COME OUT FOR IMPEACHED TSJ JUSTICE REF: A. CARACAS 01661 ¶B. CARACAS 03387 ¶C. CARACAS 01720 Classified By: ACTING POLITICAL COUNSELOR MARK WELLS FOR REASON 1.4 (D) -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) On June 8, the National Assembly unanimously voted to remove Supreme Court Justice Luis Velazquez Alvaray. Velazquez Alvaray did not attend the legislative hearing, as was his right, citing fears of persecution and arrest. Post confirmed through DHS that he fled to Miami June 7 via Aruba, only to return to Aruba June 14. Post has since revoked his visa under 214 (b). Fallout from the Velazquez Alvaray scandal has led to the death of an assistant (ruled suicide), the indictment of a lawyer with close ties to President Chavez and Vice President Rangel, and accusations of links to prosecutor Danilo Anderson's murder. End Summary. -------------- You're Out! -------------- ¶2. (C) On June 8, amidst high security, the National Assembly (AN) unanimously voted to remove Supreme Court Justice Luis Velazquez Alvaray for alleged irregularities in the purchase of land for a judicial complex in the Petare area of Caracas (ref a). Velazquez Alvaray was invited to present his defense at the AN session, but did not attend, citing a lack of prior notification and fears that he would be arrested immediately after speaking in the Assembly. In a letter to the AN explaining his absence, Velazquez Alvaray reiterated his innocence and questioned the AN's objectivity, saying he refused to let the legislature serve "his head on a silver platter as an electoral trophy." At least 25 deputies--including Velazquez Alvaray ally and AN anti-corruption czar Pedro Carreno--did not attend the session (protesting BRV treatment of Velazquez Alvaray) and were replaced by alternates. Now that his judicial immunity has been revoked, the Attorney General's office was expected to indict Velazquez Alvaray on corruption charges, though after several days prosecutors had still taken no action. -------------- Getting Luis -------------- ¶3. (C) Post has confirmed that Velazquez Alvaray fled the country on June 7. He was registered as entering Miami on a flight originating in Aruba. After one week, he returned to Aruba June 14. (Note: In the interim, Post prudentially revoked Velazquez Alvaray and his wife's visas as flight risks. Based on earlier comments by Velazquez Alvaray to PolCouns, we were also concerned that he may have planned to seek asylum in the United States.) There were numerous rumors that Pedro Carreno arranged his departure from Venezuela via charter plane, as authorities had reportedly put a lookout on him at major airports. Another contact told poloff that Velazquez Alvaray's wife, Benji Coromoto Gomez CARACAS 00001892 002 OF 002 Cardenas, is in Trinidad with their three children. -------------- Fallout Ripples Through Judiciary -------------- ¶4. (U) Meanwhile, the Attorney General's office continues investigating Velazquez Alvaray's business dealings in Barinas and the purchase of land for other judicial complexes in Merida, Tachira, and Apure states that he oversaw. One suspect in the Barinas investigation, former Supreme Court Department of Administration (DEM) Secretary and Velazquez Alvaray aide Antonio Barazarte, allegedly killed himself June 8 shortly before the AN's decision. Press reports indicate Barazarte was about to be indicted for corruption. ¶5. (U) The Velazquez Alvaray incident has also triggered infighting among judges and prosecutors linked to the "Band of Midgets," which he alleged was an extortion ring that fixed sensitive cases for the BRV. In retaliation for his suspension, Velazquez Alvaray accused Caracas Circuit Court Judge Belkis Cedeno of belonging to this corrupt group. Cedeno, in turn, accused and ultimately secured the indictment of private lawyer Esther Bigott for attempting to bribe a judge involved in the Danilo Anderson murder investigation. Bigott is thought to be President Chavez' personal lawyer and has handled cases for Vice President Rangel. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Despite the continuing fallout, Velazquez Alvaray's sudden departure has sucked much of the public interest out of the case. We cannot rule out, of course, that the tit-for-tatting among rival Chavista gangs could bring down other prominent figures. Whether the internecine fighting wrecks the strength of Chavismo remains to be seen. The scandal has not spilled over to Chavez. BROWNFIELD