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Draft:Armando Capriles

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Armando Capriles (born August 26, 1962), also known as "El Pelón" Capriles or "Coco" Capriles, is a prominent Venezuelan businessman involved in the construction and energy sectors. He is known for his connections with the Venezuelan government and his relationship with the state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A. (PDVSA).

Family and Cadena Capriles

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The Capriles family has strong ties with Venezuela’s political and media elite. Armando Capriles is the cousin of Henrique Capriles Radonski, a Venezuelan lawyer and politician.

The Capriles family has played a key role in the country's media landscape through its conglomerate Cadena Capriles. This media group includes important outlets like the newspaper El Universal, as well as radio and television stations. Over the years, they have had significant influence in shaping public opinion. However, with the arrival of Hugo Chávez's government, media control policies and legal reforms affected the private media landscape, impacting the Capriles family in this sector.[1]

Connections with the Government and Business Sector

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Armando Capriles has been involved in various business sectors in Venezuela, mainly in construction and energy. His close relationship with the Venezuelan government enabled him to access significant public contracts, including projects related to PDVSA.

Through his connections with influential figures within the Venezuelan government, such as former Finance Minister Nelson Merentes, he has played a prominent role in negotiating large contracts and projects within the country.[2]

In 2020, following the appointment of Tareck El Aissami as Minister of Petroleum, Capriles was also linked to various luxury real estate transactions, with allegations that his businesses benefited from the influence of the Chavista government.

Reports indicate that the Capriles family has diversified its fortune through high-end real estate investments, particularly in Spain, where they have acquired luxury properties.[3]

Financial Transactions and the Illarramendi Case

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In the financial field, Capriles was associated with the case of Francisco Illarramendi, a former fund manager convicted of financial fraud in a Ponzi scheme. In 2010, Illarramendi made a transfer of $1.8 million to the brokerage firm Multiplicas Casa de Bolsa, in which Capriles and his wife held a joint account at Credit Suisse. This case was widely covered in international media, which suggested that Capriles might have been aware of certain transactions between offshore companies and entities linked to Illarramendi.[4]

In 2015, it was reported that Capriles' joint account at Credit Suisse was closed, and in 2016, Capriles opened another account at the same bank, holding a significant balance. However, Capriles has stated on several occasions that he was unaware of Illarramendi's fraudulent activities and did not personally benefit from these transactions.[5]

References

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