Key Testimony from Pablo Brizzio at Federal Oral Tribunal 7
The declaration by Techint executive Pablo Brizzio turned into one of the most intense moments of the day in the ongoing trial over the 'corruption notebooks' (Cuadernos), which probe alleged bribes between Kirchner-era officials and business leaders during the administration of Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. Brizzio flatly denied any illegal payment scheme, but he did confirm that Argentine officials played a decisive role in the talks surrounding the 2008 nationalization of Sidor, a major steel plant in Venezuela.
“No, I never heard anything about that,” he said when asked if he ever knew of money requests to facilitate the departure of Argentine citizens.
Prosecutor Fabiana León led the questioning of the engineer, who explained that after the privatization and purchase of Sidor, over 100 Argentine workers were sent to Venezuela. “It was a company that was not managed properly before we arrived: it produced less than two million tons of steel per year. One of the goals and conditions of privatization was that the plant produce more than two and a half million. By the time of nationalization, we were producing more than four and a half million tons,” he detailed.
Tense Departure and the Role of Kirchner's Government
Brizzio recalled a hostile environment following the nationalization: “There were graffiti saying 'Argentines go home,' demonstrations in the city where the company was located, and even break-ins in the offices.” Despite this, the workers managed to leave, though not easily. According to his account, handing over the plant began at the end of June 2008, but it was not an immediate process due to union animosity.
In that context, the witness stated that political contacts were handled by Luis Betnaza, head of institutional relations for the steel company. Betnaza and former Techint director Héctor Zabaleta are scheduled to testify next week. Both had been charged in the bribery investigation but were later cleared because justice determined they acted for 'humanitarian' reasons – to ask government officials to intercede with Hugo Chávez and secure the safe exit of Argentine employees.
Olazagasti and the Compensation Talks
Brizzio acknowledged that José María Olazagasti, former private secretary to Federal Planning Minister Julio De Vido, participated in negotiations for the compensation for nationalization. He said the process was 'successful' because it avoided going to the international arbitration court CIADI and concluded with a financial agreement. However, he categorically denied any demands for money.
The testimony was briefly interrupted at the start of the hearing when Olazagasti’s defense raised an objection to limit the questions, but the court rejected it. Olazagasti’s lawyer, Marcos Aldazábal, argued that the witness should answer queries about his client. Prosecutor León objected, and the presiding judge Enrique Méndez Signori ruled in favor of Brizzio testifying.
Centeno’s Notebooks and the Ongoing Case
In the hand-written notebooks of driver Oscar Centeno, there are eight alleged episodes of bribery involving Techint directors and Roberto Baratta, a former Planning Ministry official now indicted. The amounts reportedly range from 15 to 20 million pesos (at the time, roughly US$5 million).
The trial includes 86 defendants, among them former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner as alleged head of an illegal association and bribery, plus former officials and businessmen.
Thursday’s session began shortly after 9 a.m. Four witnesses were expected, but prosecutors dropped three. Brizzio was the only one called. Next up: Luis Betnaga and Héctor Zabaleta, scheduled for the following Tuesday.
This testimony provides key insight into the systemic corruption under investigation, which shocked the country and whose details are still coming to light during the oral trial.
Source: Infobae