The Federal Council of Switzerland announced this Monday the immediate freezing of all financial assets that former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his associates may have in Swiss territory, following his capture by U.S. forces on January 3 in Caracas.
The Swiss government explained in an official statement from Bern that the measure aims to “prevent the exit of funds possibly obtained unlawfully,” and emphasized that this decision does not affect the current members of the Venezuelan government led by Delcy Rodríguez.
If future judicial processes demonstrate that the funds were acquired illegally, Switzerland commits to ensuring they benefit the Venezuelan people, the text stated, reminding that this measure adds to the sanctions against Venezuela that have been in place since 2018 under the Embargo Act.
The Federal Council justified its decision under the Federal Law on the Freezing and Restitution of Illicit Assets of Politically Exposed Persons (FIAA), which allows for the preventive freezing of assets belonging to deposed former leaders or those under investigation for corruption. The freeze takes effect immediately and will have an initial duration of four years.
This is not the first time Switzerland has adopted such measures: since 2018, it has participated in investigations into supposedly misappropriated Venezuelan funds related to the state-owned company PDVSA (Petroleum of Venezuela S.A.), within the framework of international judicial cooperation.
Berna also called for calm and respect for international law, reiterating its opposition to the use of force and its willingness to act as a mediator. “The situation is volatile and several scenarios are possible in the coming days and weeks,” the statement warned.
With this decision, Switzerland becomes the first European country to act on Maduro's personal assets following his arrest, marking a new phase in the international pressure on the former Venezuelan leader's surroundings.
Filed under:
