Switzerland Freezes Maduro's Assets There
Switzerland announced this week that it has frozen assets held within the country by Nicolas Maduro, the Venezuelan leader captured by the U.S. earlier this month, along with the assets of "other persons associated with him." The country's Federal Council said the move is aimed at preventing "an outflow of assets."
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"Should future legal proceedings reveal that the funds were illicitly acquired, Switzerland will endeavour to ensure that they benefit the Venezuelan people," Switzerland said. The country noted that the asset freezes don't affect any other member of the Venezuelan government and are in addition to the sanctions Switzerland has imposed against Venezuela since 2018.
Because "a fall from power has occurred," Switzerland said it's "now possible that the country of origin will initiate legal proceedings in the future with regard to illicitly acquired assets. The asset freeze serves to enable any future mutual legal assistance proceedings."
The assets will remain frozen "for four years until further notice," Switzerland said.