6 U.S. Citgo Executives Convicted And Sentenced in Venezuela

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Six executives for Citgo, the US-based subsidiary of the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, were convicted and sentenced Thursday to more than eight years for allegations of corruption.

SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

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SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

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The trial of the six, which was shut to the media, began in August. Closing arguments were made Thursday, and immediately after, Judge Lorena Cornielles sentenced the men to prison, according to the AP.

Citgo said in a statement sent to NPR that company representatives have only seen media reports of their colleagues’ conviction.

«While we do not have first-hand knowledge of these reported convictions, we are distressed to read about this outcome,» the company said in a statement. «We continue to pray for them and their families and hope for a resolution that will lead to their prompt release. We also hope that the Venezuelan authorities honor the request of the United States Government that they be released.»

On Nov. 21, the anniversary of the Citgo 6’s arrest, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the U.S. will continue to do the «utmost» to bring the men home.

«The U.S. government has repeatedly called for the unconditional release of the CITGO-6 and their return to the United States. These six Americans and their families have suffered long enough; it is time for Maduro to put politics aside and let these families be reunited,» Pompeo said in his statement.

A representative with the U.S. State Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for a comment on Thursday’s sentencing.

• Citgo
• Venezuela