Accused drug dealer says paid off fugitive Venezuela judge
Source: Reuters
An accused Venezuelan drug lord wanted by the United States said on Wednesday he made monthly payments to a former judge who recently embarrassed President Hugo Chavez with accusations of widespread manipulation in the OPEC nation's justice system.
The statement by Walid Makled, considered a major trafficker who is now on trial in Venezuela, is likely to fuel criticism by opposition leaders and U.S. authorities over the socialist government's alleged complicity with the drug trade.
Former Supreme Court judge Eladio Aponte, who fled Venezuela this month after being accused of assisting Makled, caused a fire storm by accusing Chavez's government of systematically manipulating the courts - including meddling in drug cases.
The Chavez government said he "sold his soul" to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA.
Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/accused-drug-dealer-says-paid-off-fugitive-venezuela-213230352.html