Switzerland removes Venezuelan officials from asset freeze list

The Swiss government has updated its list of individuals linked to Venezuela whose assets are subject to preventive freezing. As part of this revision, Marleny Contreras, wife of Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and former Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza have been removed from the list.

According to reports, the removal stems from the fact that neither individual possesses assets in Switzerland, and there are no verifiable indications of corruption against them. Sources suggest their initial inclusion may have been an error. This measure is a precautionary freeze under Swiss law regarding illicit assets, intended to prevent the movement of funds while investigations into their origin continue.

While two high-profile figures were removed, the total number of individuals on the list increased from 37 to 41. The update includes six new names, notably businessman Alex Saab and his partner Álvaro Pulido. The freeze, which was established in January, remains in effect until 2030, with provisions to return funds to the Venezuelan people if they are proven to have irregular origins.