Maduro's associates' assets frozen in Switzerland total $887 million
Switzerland freezes Venezuelan assets worth 687 million francs (about $887 million), one-third of which have been frozen since Nicolás Maduro's capture in a U.S. military operation, the national agency ATS reported, citing data from the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Two-thirds were already frozen before that detention, as part of criminal proceedings in Switzerland, but after Maduro's capture, an additional 239 million francs ($308 million) have been blocked.
TL;DR
- Switzerland has frozen Venezuelan assets worth 687 million Swiss francs ($887 million).
- 239 million francs ($308 million) were additionally frozen after Nicolás Maduro's capture.
- Two-thirds of the assets were already frozen before Maduro's arrest due to criminal proceedings.
- Swiss authorities ordered the freezing of assets belonging to Nicolás Maduro and his associates on January 5th.
- No current members of the Venezuelan government are affected by this asset freeze.
- Switzerland plans to return illicitly acquired assets to the Venezuelan population.
- Swiss law allows for the freezing of assets of 'politically exposed' foreigners if corruption or other serious crimes are suspected.