Delcy Rodríguez Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Businessman Víctor de Aldama
Venezuelan official denies allegations of illicit PSOE financing through PDVSA oil deals.
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1Formal Defamation Complaint Filed
Delcy Rodríguez, acting president of Venezuela, has initiated a criminal defamation lawsuit against businessman Víctor de Aldama. Represented by the law firm of former judge Baltasar Garzón, Rodríguez seeks legal action following Aldama's public claims that she provided documents linking her to irregular financing of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party, known as the PSOE.
2Disputed Envelope and Allegations
The core of the dispute involves a brown envelope allegedly containing documentation related to PDVSA, the Venezuelan state oil company. Aldama claims this envelope, which he presented to the National Court, proves Rodríguez facilitated illegal funding for the PSOE and the Socialist International. Rodríguez categorically denies ever possessing or delivering such a document.
3Legal Basis for the Lawsuit
The complaint targets the imputation of false facts, an offense aggravated by public dissemination through media outlets. Rodríguez's legal team argues that Aldama's statements, made during television interviews on February 4 and 5, 2026, constitute criminal libel. They have requested that the court secure full recordings of these broadcasts and summon the businessman.
4Questioning Document Traceability
Rodríguez's defense highlights significant gaps in the document's history. The envelope reportedly bears a stamp from February 2020 but remained undisclosed by Aldama until 2026. Furthermore, the defense notes the lack of evidence identifying Rodríguez as the sender, challenging the document's authenticity and the circumstances surrounding its long-term concealment by the businessman.
5Context of Previous Interactions
Despite Rodríguez's attempt to distance herself from the allegations, reports indicate a history of communication between the two parties. Investigations have revealed hundreds of messages exchanged regarding multi-million dollar oil operations. Aldama previously negotiated the purchase of hundreds of thousands of barrels of crude oil through the Swiss-based firm Pegaso Energy.
6Broader Legal Troubles for Aldama
Víctor de Aldama is currently entangled in multiple legal proceedings, including the 'Koldo case' and a separate investigation into hydrocarbon fraud. He is already under a suspended four-and-a-half-year prison sentence for corruption involving public mask contracts. Authorities have recently sought to block accounts linked to his Portuguese companies due to suspicious financial flows.
7Alleged Payments to Officials
Beyond the envelope claims, Aldama has testified before the National Court regarding direct financial transfers. He alleges that he personally delivered 300,000 euros to former minister José Luis Ábalos and Koldo García to facilitate illicit party funding. These claims remain central to the ongoing judicial scrutiny of the businessman's complex business network.
8Judicial Path Forward
The lawsuit follows a failed conciliation attempt held on July 16, 2026, where Aldama refused to retract his statements. The court must now determine if the businessman's public assertions meet the legal threshold for defamation. The outcome will depend on the verification of the envelope's origin and the credibility of the provided testimony.