Zürcher Strafverfolger suchten ihn, jetzt macht er für Donald Trump den grossen Öl-Deal: der Aufstieg von Alejandro Betancourt

Alejandro Betancourt is a member of Venezuela's economic elite, suspected of orchestrating large-scale money laundering operations. The Swiss are seeking him, but suddenly, Todd Blanche, once the US Vice Prosecutor, appears on their screens. Blanche informs the Swiss that the US government wishes for Betancourt to be allowed to travel and that no criminal sanctions should be taken against him.

This rich Venezuelan is central to Donald Trump's plans, as Trump announced an oil deal with Venezuela on Saturday, aiming to secure more than a fifth of the country's oil reserves under American control. The deal is reportedly based on a partnership between the US and private companies, with one of those being North American Blue Energy Partners, which is owned by Betancourt.

Betancourt has become a key business partner of the Trump administration, despite being accused of corruption in Venezuela's state-owned oil company, PDVSA, in the 2010s. Betancourt, a 46-year-old with dark, receding hair, rose to prominence in socialist Venezuela through business dealings in the energy and oil sectors. His journey to power began with a lack of experience in the energy sector, but he quickly secured lucrative contracts, including several billion-dollar projects to build power plants.

Some of these projects are still reportedly unfinished and were allegedly built at exorbitant prices. Betancourt claims he aimed to help his homeland succeed and sees himself as a patriot. However, many Venezuelans view him as a traitor who has enriched himself at the expense of the nation.