Venezuelan authorities issued an arrest warrant for a new member of the board of directors of U.S.-based refining firm Citgo Petroleum Corp named by the opposition this month, chief prosecutor Tarek Saab said on Monday. By Luc Cohen, Brian Ellsworth, Mariana Parraga. Full Text -> Reuters

Six U.S. oil executives held for three years in Venezuela were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms Thursday. Known as the Citgo 6, the men are all employees of the Houston-based refining company of the same name, which isowned by Venezuela’s state oil company, PDVSA. By Jaclyn Diaz. Full Text -> NPRNews

“It’s extremely easy to prove that my family had nothing to do with these accusations,” his oldest daughter Gabriela Zambrano Hill said. “It’s very obviously a political ploy to imprison my family and to hold them as hostages.” By: Seth Kovar. Full Text -> KristTVNews

In a novel and aggressive move likely aimed at garnering goodwill with federal regulators, Venezuelan state-owned entity CITGO Petroleum Company (“CITGO”) has sued its former agent for harm CITGO alleges was caused by the agent’s payment of bribes to foreign officials. The twist? The bribes were paid to CITGO’s own employees, who are considered foreign officials under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (“FCPA”). By Michael Hoosier, Brian Howard II, Ephraim (Fry) Wernick. Full Text -> JDSupra

Washington has made efforts to help get the executives released, Abrams told reporters, without providing specifics. He also warned Moscow about its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, hinting at potential sanctions against Russia. Full text-> Reuters

Venezuelan police have seized executives of U.S. refiner Citgo who were under house arrest in the South American nation, two family members of the men said, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump met with opposition leader Juan Guaido. Full text-> Investing.com