Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, issued a decree on March 17, announcing the reorganization of the National Superintendency of Crypto Assets, known as Sunacrip in Spanish. The move comes as the country attempts to shield its citizens from the negative impact of economic sanctions. The new board structure will plan the next steps for the crypto department and exclude Joselit Ramirez, who has led the department since its inception in 2018.
New board structure for Sunacrip
Ramirez was reportedly arrested on March 17 on corruption charges, according to local media. The Homeland Security Investigations branch of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency issued a bounty of up to $5 million for any information that would lead to Ramirez’s capture.
The new board for Sunacrip will be led by Anabel Pereira Fernández, a lawyer who served as president of the Fondo de Garantía de Depositos y Protección Bancaria. Other directors include Héctor Andrés Obregón Pérez, Luis Alberto Pérez González, and Julio César Mora Sánchez. The decree does not provide any specific reasons for the reorganization, but it aims to protect the country’s citizens from economic sanctions.
Joselit Ramirez’s removal from the department
Joselit Ramirez has been removed from the National Superintendency of Crypto Assets department following his arrest on corruption charges. Ramirez was responsible for overseeing crypto tax rules and the country’s cryptocurrency Petro. He has been on the US’s Most Wanted List since June 2020, with the US government offering a bounty of up to $5 million for any information that would lead to his capture. The US authorities allege that Ramirez had “deep political, social and economic ties” to suspected narcotic kingpins, including Tareck El Aissami, the former vice president of Venezuela.
Ramirez’s removal from the department is significant, given that he was the department’s head since its inception in 2018. His removal is likely to have a significant impact on the department’s operations, particularly with regard to Petro. Ramirez oversaw the creation and implementation of the Petro, which has been criticized by many as a tool to circumvent international sanctions.
Ramirez’s arrest on corruption charges adds to the growing list of corruption allegations against senior officials in the Venezuelan government. The US government’s allegations that Ramirez has ties to narcotic kingpins and his inclusion in the Most Wanted List indicate the severity of the charges against him. It remains to be seen how the Venezuelan government will respond to his arrest and whether it will take any action to address the corruption allegations within its ranks.
The US government’s actions
Joselit Ramirez’s bounty was the smallest among the alleged co-conspirators, with the US government offering $15 million for the capture of the country’s head, Maduro. Several other high-ranking officials, including El Aissami, face $10 million bounties. The US government’s actions demonstrate its commitment to fighting corruption and narcotics trafficking in the region. However, the Venezuelan government has criticized the US’s actions, calling them an attempt to interfere with the country’s sovereignty.
Conclusion
The reorganization of the National Superintendency of Crypto Assets in Venezuela aims to protect its citizens from the negative effects of economic sanctions. Joselit Ramirez’s removal from the department and his arrest on corruption charges reflect the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption and narcotics trafficking. The US government’s actions against Ramirez and other officials demonstrate its commitment to fighting these crimes in the region. However, the Venezuelan government has criticized the US’s actions, arguing that they infringe on the country’s sovereignty.
