Oil executives sue Citgo for $400M alleging false imprisonment in Venezuela
Two Citgo oil executives detained for nearly five years in Venezuela have filed a lawsuit against their former employer for over $400 million, claiming they were lured under false pretenses and abandoned as they endured horrific prison conditions for crimes they did not commit. The brothers, Alirio and Jose Luis Zambrano, were among the so-called Citgo 6 executives who were arrested in Caracas during a meeting at PDVSA’s headquarters.
Convicted to between 8 and 13 years in prison for an alleged debt financing deal that never took place, the Zambranos’ lawsuit accuses Citgo of knowingly assisting in their unlawful arrest. Despite their innocence, Citgo allegedly ignored pleas for financial support for their defense and even disregarded their request for documents to prove innocence.
While Citgo has not responded to the lawsuit, the Zambranos’ attorney condemns the company’s inaction, stating that it speaks volumes. The Venezuelan-born American citizens were eventually released in 2022 as part of a prisoner swap.
Source: AP News