El Salvador's attorney general freezes a moneylaundering investigation into Venezuelan oil funds that implicates Nayib Bukele

"El Salvador's attorney general and trusted ally of President Nayib Bukele, Rodolfo Delgado, has frozen a moneylaundering investigation into Alba Petroleos de El Salvador, a company financed with Venezuelan government funds whose operations extend to bank accounts linked to the president. Documents from the Attorney General's Office show that Bukele received roughly $3.3 million both personally and through three companies belonging to his family group originating from Venezuelan oil money."

"The case was opened in 2019 by thenattorney general Raul Melara, who was investigating Bukele's administration for alleged corruption and supposed pacts with the MS13 and Barrio 18 gangs. Melara was removed from office on May 1, 2021, the same day the ruling party took full control of the Legislative Assembly, preventing the investigation from moving forward to the courts. That day, lawmakers aligned with Bukele also dismissed the justices of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court and appointed five replacements loyal to the executive branch."

Rodolfo Delgado, El Salvador's attorney general and ally of President Nayib Bukele, froze a money‑laundering investigation into Alba Petroleos de El Salvador, a company financed with Venezuelan government funds. Official documents show Bukele received roughly $3.3 million personally and through three family companies originating from Venezuelan oil money. Two former prosecutors report no progress and say no documents moved in the case after Delgado took office. The case was opened in 2019 by then‑attorney general Raul Melara, who was removed on May 1, 2021 amid a legislative takeover that stalled judicial proceedings. Alba Petroleos was founded in 2006 and is run by FMLN leaders.

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