Samark Lopez Bello

Profile

Samark Jose Lopez Bello (b. 1974) is a Venezuelan businessman identified by Treasury's OFAC as the primary frontman of Tareck El Aissami and the financial operator of his network. He holds stakes in at least 13 companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, Panama, the United Kingdom, the United States and Venezuela; several of them in Florida.[ofac-2017-02-13-el-aissami]

Kingpin Act designation

On 13 February 2017 OFAC simultaneously designated El Aissami as a Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficker (Tier 1) and Lopez Bello as Tier 2 under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. The designation describes Lopez Bello as "a key frontman for El Aissami", responsible for laundering drug proceeds, purchasing certain assets, and handling business arrangements and financial matters for the official. OFAC blocked significant real property in the Miami area linked to his network, including a U.S.-registered aircraft (tail number N200VR).[ofac-2017-02-13-el-aissami]

In March 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (Bello v. Gacki, No. 23-5036) upheld the legality of the designation, rejecting Lopez Bello's arguments on due process and the statutory scope of OFAC.

2019-2020 indictment in New York

In March 2019 and subsequently in a superseding indictment of 13 March 2020, the Southern District of New York charged Lopez Bello with OFAC sanctions evasion. The counts describe the use of U.S. companies and citizens to charter private flights that carried El Aissami and others between Venezuela, Russia, Turkey and the Dominican Republic, paying for services through bulk-cash deliveries smuggled into the United States. The State Department offers a reward of up to USD 5 million for information leading to his arrest.[doj-2020-03-26-indictment]

Arrest in Venezuela

On 9 April 2024, Lopez Bello was arrested in Venezuela alongside El Aissami and former minister Simon Zerpa, as part of the PDVSA-Crypto case. Venezuelan prosecutors identified him as the financial operator of the scheme, charging him with treason, misappropriation of public funds, money laundering and criminal conspiracy.[venezuelanalysis-2024-04-09-el-aissami-arrest][insightcrime-saab-bello-profile]

Reference status

The OFAC actions are administrative and remain in force. The criminal charges (United States, Venezuela) are prosecutorial allegations pending final judgment.[ofac-2017-02-13-el-aissami][insightcrime-saab-bello-profile]