# Delcy Rodríguez Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Businessman Víctor de Aldama

Venezuelan official denies allegations of illicit PSOE financing through PDVSA oil deals.

- **Source:** [El Confidencial – España](https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana)
- **Published:** 2026-11-09
- **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics)
- **Original article:** <https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2026-11-09/delcy-rodriguez-querella-aldama-injurias-1tps_4461602/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5f2dd535-7941-4c80-914d-4a9895b7268a

## Formal 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.

## Disputed 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.

## Legal 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.

## Questioning 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.

## Context 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.

## Broader 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.

## Alleged 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.

## Judicial 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.

## Sources covering this story

- [El Confidencial – España — Delcy Rodriguez Files Lawsuit Against Victor de Aldama for Defamation](https://www.elconfidencial.com/espana/2026-11-09/delcy-rodriguez-querella-aldama-injurias-1tps_4461602/)
- [El Mundo – España — Delcy Rodríguez Files Defamation Lawsuit Against Businessman Víctor de Aldama](https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2026/11/09/6af1a8eee85ece28168b4584.html)

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
