12/5/2024 - politics-and-society

"Hugo Chávez and the Nisman Case: The Dark Alliance that Shook Argentina and Challenged Justice"

By Poder & Dinero

"Hugo Chávez and the Nisman Case: The Dark Alliance that Shook Argentina and Challenged Justice"

Jesús Daniel Romero and William Acosta for Poder & Dinero and FinGurú

Context of the Relationship

Hugo Chávez, who ruled Venezuela from 1999 until his death in 2013, established a foreign policy focused on creating alliances with leftist governments in the region. The relationship with Argentina intensified starting in 2003 when Néstor Kirchner took office as president, and continued with Cristina Kirchner. Both governments shared ideals about sovereignty, social justice, and opposition to imperialism, particularly towards the United States.

Chávez facilitated contact between the Venezuelan regime and the Argentine government with Iran, seeking to strengthen ties and become a bridge between the two countries. Alejandro Arreaza, Venezuela's Minister of Science and Technology, played a key role in building these connections. Cooperation included economic, strategic, and political aspects that facilitated the approach to Iran.

The relationship with Iran was solidified during Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency, who held office from 2005 to 2013. Ahmadinejad, a close ally of Chávez, promoted an anti-imperialist agenda that resonated with both leaders and fostered collaboration in areas such as energy and defense.

 

Implications for Foreign Policy

During Chávez's government, negotiations with Iran included cooperation agreements. This approach was seen as a strategy to counteract the influence of the United States in the region, but it also raised concerns about supporting regimes accused of terrorism, such as Iran, linked to the AMIA bombing.

In 2013, the Argentine government signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran to investigate the AMIA bombing, which generated criticism and suspicion regarding a potential cover-up. This agreement was partly driven by Chávez's pressure to strengthen cooperation between like-minded nations and created a conflict of interest for the Argentine government.

Tarek El Aissami and his father, Mohamed El Aissami, played significant roles in the rapprochement between the Venezuelan regime and Iran during Néstor Kirchner's period. Tarek, Minister of Interior and Justice, was crucial in establishing military and technological cooperation relations. His father, Mohamed, acted as a facilitator in connecting economic and political interests, being key figures in promoting strategic collaboration.

 

Important Points about the Economic Relationship between Hugo Chávez and Argentina

Hugo Chávez contributed approximately $5.6 billion to Argentina between 2005 and 2008, buying bonds to help the country face its fiscal deficit.

The relationship developed during Néstor Kirchner's presidency, who maintained a close affinity with Chávez, crucial at a time when Argentina sought to emerge from default.

During the 2007 electoral campaign, it was alleged that Chávez sent $3 billion to help Argentina meet payments to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which was denounced by former presidential candidate Henrique Capriles.

Chávez participated in significant bond acquisitions such as Boden 12, Boden 2015, Bonar 10, and the Bonos del Sur. In 2005, Venezuela acquired $1.563 billion in Boden 2012, and in 2006, another $2.865 billion. In one of its last transactions, Venezuela bought $1 billion of Boden 15 at an interest rate of nearly 16% in dollars, similar to the rate from the Megacanje of 2001.

 

Case of Antonini Wilson

The Antonini Wilson case arose when Guido Antonini Wilson, a Venezuelan businessman, arrived in Argentina on August 4, 2007, with a suitcase containing $790,550 in undeclared cash. This case gained media attention due to its coincidence with the presidential campaign of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and the referendum proposed by Chávez to change the Venezuelan constitution.

The case was labeled by journalism and public opinion as the "suitcase scandal.” Wilson has an extradition request from Venezuela and Argentina to the United States, but the United States has not responded to these requests without providing any explanation, leading to the understanding that Wilson might have been working for the American government. In October 2021, former military intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal declared that the Venezuelan government provided $21 million for Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's electoral campaign. In September 2023, Claudio Uberti was found guilty of bringing the suitcase into Argentina and sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison.

 

The Financial Bicycle

Chávez's support was based on a scheme known as the "financial bicycle," where Venezuela bought Argentine bonds and then structured notes with investment banks.

The Venezuelan government acquired Argentine bonds and requested the structuring of related notes. The notes were sold to banks in Venezuela at the official exchange rate, allowing them to absorb bolívares and maintain the exchange rate of the parallel dollar.

These notes were transferred to foreign accounts, where there were no restrictions on financial assets. The chosen banks sold the notes to investment banks at the parallel exchange rate, generating significant profits from the difference between exchange rates.

This scheme facilitated financing for Argentina and allowed Venezuela to maintain a cash flow in a context of economic restrictions.

 

Main Suspects: Iran

Argentinian justice has pointed to several former Iranian officials as main suspects in the planning and execution of the AMIA bombing. These include:

 

Hasan Rouhani: At the time of the attack, he was the head of Iran's National Security Council and later became president.

 

Mohsen Rabbani: Former cultural attaché of the Iranian embassy in Buenos Aires, identified as one of the main organizers of the attack.

 

Ahmad Vahidi: Former Iranian defense minister, also implicated in planning the attack.

 

Ali Akbar Velayati: Advisor to Iran's Supreme Leader, identified as one of those responsible.

 

Imad Mughniyeh: Military commander of Hezbollah, considered one of the architects of the bombing (deceased in 2008).

 

Impact on National Security

The relationship with Chávez and the Venezuelan regime had implications for Argentina's national security. The SIDE, the Argentine intelligence agency, was undergoing a process of restructuring and weakening, leading to increased vulnerability to external threats. Chávez's influence in the region and his relationship with actors like Iran created a complicated environment for Argentine security.

 

Testimonies and Revelations

The documents and testimonies presented in Antonio Stiuso's dossier highlight concerns about Iran's intentions and the pressure exerted by Chávez to resume nuclear exchange with this country. Stiuso claims that Chávez had requested the Kirchners to reactivate these negotiations, which could imply an interest in developing nuclear capabilities by Iran, a fact that connects directly with the AMIA bombing.

 

Summary of the Nisman Case

The death of Alberto Nisman, the Argentine prosecutor in charge of the investigation into the AMIA bombing, which left 85 dead in 1994, has captured public attention and generated multiple theories and speculations. On January 18, 2015, Nisman was found dead in his apartment in Buenos Aires, with a bullet in his head and his gun by his side, hours before he was to testify before Congress about allegations against then-president Cristina Kirchner. This tragic event has been the subject of journalistic investigations and political analyses.

 

Nisman had been appointed by then-president Néstor Kirchner in 2005 as the special prosecutor to investigate the AMIA bombing. Throughout his career, he gathered evidence indicating Iran's responsibility for the attack executed by Hezbollah. In 2007, he requested Interpol to capture several former Iranian officials. However, on January 14, 2015, he accused Kirchner and other officials of cover-up through a memorandum of understanding with Iran, leading to a political confrontation.

 

Although Argentine justice determined in 2018 that Nisman was murdered, controversy persists. Current president Alberto Fernández has questioned the findings of the Gendarmerie’s forensic examination, which concludes that Nisman was killed by two people who drugged him and shot him, and criticized how the investigation was conducted. Fernández had expressed doubts about a possible suicide, but since his election, he has adopted a more cautious approach.

 

Main Involved Parties

 

Alberto Nisman: Special prosecutor in charge of the investigation into the AMIA bombing, whose death triggered a political and judicial scandal.

 

Cristina Fernández de Kirchner: President of Argentina at the time of Nisman’s death and main accused in his allegations.

 

Diego Lagomarsino: Former collaborator of Nisman, who provided him with the gun he shot himself with. While he is considered a "necessary participant," he has not been charged with homicide.

 

Antonio Jaime Stiuso: Former SIDE spy and Nisman’s main collaborator, dismissed by Kirchner shortly before the prosecutor's death.

 

César Milani: Former chief of the Argentine Army, whose inclusion in communications on the day of Nisman’s death has raised suspicions.

 

Juan Martín Mena: Former second-in-command of the Federal Intelligence Agency (AFI), involved in suspicious calls on the day of Nisman’s death.

 

Timeline of Events

 

July 18, 1994: The AMIA bombing occurs in Buenos Aires, resulting in 85 dead and hundreds injured. This attack is attributed to Hezbollah with the support of Iran.

 

2003: The relationship between the government of Néstor Kirchner and Hugo Chávez intensifies, establishing closer ties between both countries.

 

2006: Alberto Nisman is appointed as the special prosecutor to investigate the AMIA bombing. He presents various pieces of evidence pointing to Iran's responsibility for the attack.

 

2007: The Antonini Wilson case occurs when Guido Antonini Wilson, a Venezuelan businessman, arrives in Argentina with a suitcase containing $790,550 in undeclared cash. This case generates extensive media coverage due to its coincidence with the presidential campaign of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and the referendum Chávez proposed to change the Venezuelan constitution.

 

2013: Nisman reveals his accusations against several former Argentine officials, including then-president Cristina Kirchner, whom he accuses of covering up for Iran through the Pact with Iran.

 

2014: Tensions rise between Nisman and the Kirchner government. In this context, Stiuso, former director of operations of SIDE, begins documenting his concerns about Nisman’s safety and the political manipulation surrounding the AMIA case.

 

December 17, 2014: Cristina Kirchner dismisses Antonio Stiuso from SIDE, creating a climate of uncertainty among intelligence service members.

 

January 18, 2015: Nisman is found dead in his Buenos Aires apartment, hours before presenting his allegations in Congress, in which he accused Kirchner of covering up for Iran. His death is initially considered a suicide, but doubts arise about the circumstances.

 

January 19, 2015: President Cristina Kirchner holds a national address and suggests that Nisman committed suicide, dismissing the allegations against her.

 

2015: Antonio Stiuso delivers a dossier to the Barack Obama government detailing threats against him and Nisman, as well as Kirchner's involvement in cover-up operations.

2016: Argentine justice begins to investigate further the circumstances surrounding Nisman’s death, as testimonies and evidence arise that contradict the official suicide narrative.

 

2017: A trial begins to assess the possible responsibility of various officials in covering up the truth about Nisman’s death.

 

2020-2021: New revelations occur linking members of the Kirchner government to attempts to obstruct justice in the AMIA case and the assassination d

e Nisman.

Analysis of the Facts

Nisman's death represents a turning point in Argentine history, highlighting the struggle between political power and the quest for justice. The timeline reveals not only the tragic events but also the political maneuvers surrounding the case.

Nisman, who dedicated his life to investigating the AMIA attack, found himself vulnerable after the dismantling of the SIDE and his growing isolation. The delivery of the Stiuso dossier to the U.S. government indicates a desperation to seek protection and bring to light a tangible threat.

Political tensions, coupled with a lack of transparency in the investigation of his death and the disappearance of key evidence, such as CDs with millions of phone calls, suggest a deliberate attempt to cover up the truth behind his murder. The involvement of high-ranking officials and the connections between kirchnerism and intelligence services raise deep questions about corruption and impunity in the country.

The analysis of these events, along with the revelations from Santoro's book, allows for a broader understanding of the complexity of the Nisman case and its legacy in the struggle for justice and truth in Argentina. As further details continue to emerge, Nisman’s story remains a reminder of the dangers faced by those who seek to challenge established power, leaving an indelible mark on the collective memory of the country.

Conclusions

The connection between Hugo Chávez's foreign policy and Cristina Kirchner's government not only shaped Argentine politics but also decisively influenced the investigation into the AMIA attack and the Nisman case. This web of relationships and political decisions has created a climate of distrust, corruption, and cover-up that has marked the country’s recent history.

The tension between Argentina's commitment to justice and the need to maintain diplomatic relations with Iran, fueled by Chávez's influence, has left a legacy of questions regarding the integrity of institutions in Argentina. Ultimately, Nisman’s story and the context of his death highlight the fragility of the rule of law and the complexities of political dynamics, where power and justice are often compromised by hidden interests.

Credits

To all the media sources from which all the information for this article came: Clarín, La Nación, Infobae, Página 12, BBC News, and other relevant reports and analyses.

Jesús Daniel Romero became an officer through the Navy's Enlisted Program, graduating with honors from Norfolk State University and receiving a degree in Political Science. He subsequently graduated from the Naval Aviation Command's Pre-Flight Indoctrination course and pursued intermediate training with the VT-10 and VT-86 squadrons. He served aboard a nuclear missile cruiser, amphibious operations ships, and staff squadrons, a fixed-wing strike bombing squadron, and a carrier air wing, being deployed to Libya, Bosnia, Iraq, and Somalia. He served on tours with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) in Panama, the Joint Intelligence Center in Hawaii, and the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command. Jesús and his team successfully attacked an international criminal organization operating in various countries and in the United States, dismantling and disrupting criminal activities on behalf of Mexican cartels.

William L. Acosta is the founder and CEO of Equalizer Private Investigations & Security Services Inc., a licensed investigative agency based in NYS and FL, with offices and affiliates worldwide. Equalizer maintains offices and subsidiaries in the United States in New York, Florida, and California. Since 1999, Equalizer's investigations have successfully closed hundreds of cases ranging from homicides, missing persons, and other crimes. He has been involved in the criminal defense of hundreds of state and federal cases ranging from homicide, narcotics, racketeering, money laundering, conspiracy, and other federal and state charges. He specializes in international and multi-jurisdictional investigations and has conducted investigations in Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, France, England, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, among other locations, in recent years. He has directed or coordinated hundreds of investigations related to international drug trafficking, money laundering, and homicides; and has been an instructor and international speaker on various investigative topics. Specialties: Criminal Defense Investigations, International Investigations, Homicides, Undercover Narcotics Operations, Investigations, Asset Forfeiture Investigations, Conspiracy, Human Trafficking, Surveillance, International Terrorism, Intelligence, Technical Surveillance Countermeasures, Internal Affairs Investigations, National Security.

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Poder & Dinero

Poder & Dinero

We are a group of professionals from various fields, passionate about learning and understanding what happens in the world, and its consequences, in order to transmit knowledge.
Sergio Berensztein, Fabián Calle, Santiago Montoya, Pedro von Eyken, José Daniel Salinardi, Leo Moumdjian, along with a distinguished group of journalists and analysts from Latin America, the United States, and Europe.

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