Law & Justice

Venezuela’s National Anti-drug Office (ONA) confiscated over 60 tonnes of drugs in 2009, the organisation’s director, Nestor Reverol, informed the press, which was an increase from the 54 tonnes confiscated in 2008.

Venezuela’s top anti-corruption watchdog, Comptroller General Clodosbaldo Russián, announced yesterday that 153 Venezuelan’s have been disqualified from running for public office for misuse of public funds.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced yesterday that United States authorities have detained former banker Eligio Cedeño, who recently fled the country to avoid charges over embezzling millions of dollars.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez launched the first unit of the new Bolivarian National Police (PNB) in Sucre parish, Libertador municipality, western Caracas, on Sunday as part of an ongoing process of police reform.

On Saturday Venezuelan police arrested Arne Chacon, bank president and brother of Chavez’s minister for science and technology, Jesse Chacon, for his supposed involvement in financial crimes.

The police making up the new National Bolivarian Police will receive a “dignified” wage as well as a package of benefits, president Hugo Chavez announced.

In further steps toward implementing a new policing model in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez named directors of the new National Police and announced the creation of an anti-crime commission within the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).

On Tuesday the Venezuelan National Assembly passed a reform to the Community Council Law transferring the financial management of the councils from communal banks to finance commissions, and aiming to solve the problems that arose during the councils’ prolific expansion over the past three years.

As part of its efforts to fight crime, the Venezuelan government publicly destroyed more than 32,000 firearms on Wednesday, according to the head of the Armed Forces General Board of Arms and Explosives, Colonel Julio César Morales.

On Thursday, Venezuela announced the expansion of military operations along its western border in order to fight drug trafficking and protect a recently discovered reserve of coltan from illegal mining.