Venezuelan official sues businessman over alleged PSOE financing claims

Venezuelan acting president Delcy Rodríguez has initiated legal proceedings to sue businessman Víctor de Aldama. The lawsuit stems from Aldama's recent statements alleging that Rodríguez handed him an envelope containing money intended to finance Spain's Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE).

Spanish newspaper El Mundo exclusively reported the development, noting that former judge Baltasar Garzón will handle the lawsuit. According to the report, Rodríguez filed a pre-litigation conciliation request in Madrid courts, seeking to address claims of defamation against Aldama. Her legal team asserts that Aldama's statements on television on February 4 and 5 were untrue.

Rodríguez's defense, represented by Garzón's law firm Ilocad, stated that the accusation of her delivering the "envelope" to Aldama is "untrue, false, or not in accordance with reality." The firm seeks Aldama's retraction of his claims, arguing that attributing the envelope's delivery to Rodríguez implies her broad participation in acts that could constitute a crime.

However, sources close to Aldama told El Mundo that he will not retract his statements. They maintain that Rodríguez did indeed give him the envelope related to the alleged irregular financing of the PSOE. This stance means Rodríguez will likely proceed with a criminal defamation lawsuit if she wishes to pursue legal recourse.