ILLC partners with FRONTLINE in special screening of “A Dangerous Assignment” documentary

Image from "A Dangerous Assignment' - Documentary screening will be shown for free in Chicago on Nov. 2nd - in collaboration with the ILCC

Chicago • The International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago (ILCC) and FRONTLINE PBS have aligned to present a special event screening of “A Dangerous Assignment: Uncovering Corruption in Maduro’s Venezuela“. This critically acclaimed documentary exposes through a series of journalistic investigations the Alex Saab case, which garnered world wide attention and exposed clear patterns of corruption in Nicolas Maduro’s hardline regime in Venezuela.

Latino Voices - Joanna Hernández will moderate a special screening of "A Dangerous Assignment" to be shown at Facets Multimedia in Chicago on Nov. 2. LatinoCulturalCenter.org for more information.

This special event on Saturday, November 2nd at Facets Multimedia (1517 W. Fullerton Ave, Chicago) will begin with a special screening of “A Dangerous Assignment” followed by an expert panel moderated by veteran PBS “Latino Voices” host Joanna Hernández.

Panelists include, Gerardo Perozo: Sociologist and Consultant; Luisela Alvaray: Associate Professor at DePaul University; Luciano Pedota: Nonprofit leader; Jeff Arak:  “A Dangerous Assignment” Producer, FRONTLINE PBS (virtual).

Following the panel discussion, a reception featuring food, wine and live music with Joropo Harpist Luis Correa performing music from Venezuela and Colombia’s plains (llanuras).

Dangerous Journalism: Uncovering Corruption in Venezuela’s Food Aid Program

In a gripping tale of investigative journalism, corruption, and exile, FRONTLINE’s new documentary “A Dangerous Assignment: Uncovering Corruption in Maduro’s Venezuela” sheds light on the dark underbelly of Venezuela’s CLAP food aid program. The film, made in collaboration with the independent Venezuelan news site Armando.info, follows the courageous work of journalist Roberto Deniz and his colleagues as they expose a vast corruption scandal that reaches from Venezuela to Europe and the United States.

The CLAP Program: A False Promise

Three years after Hugo Chávez’s death and Nicolás Maduro’s rise to power, Venezuela was spiraling into economic chaos. In 2016, with hunger becoming a national crisis, President Maduro’s government launched the CLAP program. Advertised as a solution to provide high-quality, essential food items to struggling Venezuelans, some of whom were at risk of starvation, the program seemed like a lifeline.

However, Deniz and his team at Armando.info uncovered a startling truth: the CLAP program was far from what the government claimed. Their investigation revealed that the government was purchasing low-quality products for the food boxes. In a damning revelation, a chemical analysis conducted by the Institute of Food Science and Technology at Universidad Central de Venezuela showed that some of the powdered milk in CLAP boxes was so deficient in calcium and high in sodium that it couldn’t even be classified as milk.

Following the Money: Alex Saab and Government Corruption

The journalists’ investigation didn’t stop at product quality. They discovered that the CLAP initiative was enriching Alex Saab, a close associate of Maduro and the biggest contractor for the food program. This finding was just the tip of the iceberg in a vast corruption scandal that benefited Maduro and other officials.

As the story unfolded, it caught the attention of U.S. authorities. In 2019, Alex Saab was indicted by the U.S. government on money laundering charges related to alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and sanctioned for an alleged food corruption scheme involving the CLAP program. According to a federal prosecutor interviewed in the documentary, Saab later admitted to paying bribes to Venezuelan government officials in connection with the lucrative food contracts.

The Price of Truth: Journalists in Exile

The Armando.info journalists’ relentless pursuit of the truth came at a high personal cost. Facing threats, harassment, and possible jail time, Deniz and his colleagues made the difficult decision to flee Venezuela. Deniz now has a warrant out for his arrest in his home country, his family’s home has been raided, and he has been sued for criminal defamation by Saab.

Despite these challenges, Deniz continued his investigative work from exile in Colombia. As he states in the film, “Professionally, I always say it’s been worth it.” However, he admits that on a personal level, the situation is more complicated, adding, “It’s like I’ve always said: It would have been easier to look away.”

Frame from "A Dangerous Assignment"

A Global Issue: Press Freedom Under Threat

“A Dangerous Assignment” not only exposes corruption in Venezuela but also highlights the increasing global threat to press freedom. As governments worldwide crack down on independent media and journalists face growing intimidation, the documentary serves as a powerful reminder of the crucial role of investigative journalism in holding power to account.

Marshall Billingslea, a former U.S. Treasury official who helped build the case against Saab, underscores the significance of the story: “This is a story of corruption, of kleptocracy, on a scale the world has not seen. The things [Saab] was doing on behalf of Maduro were unconscionable.”

A Dangerous Assignment Poster

Conclusion: The Ongoing Fight for Truth

While Alex Saab has since been released in a controversial prisoner swap by the Biden administration, the impact of the Armando.info investigation continues to resonate. Roberto Deniz has not set foot in Venezuela for more than five years, but his commitment to uncovering the truth remains unshaken.

“A Dangerous Assignment: Uncovering Corruption in Maduro’s Venezuela” stands as a testament to the power of investigative journalism and the unwavering dedication of reporters who risk everything to bring hidden truths to light. As press freedom faces increasing threats globally, this documentary serves as a stark reminder of the vital role journalists play in safeguarding democracy and exposing corruption at the highest levels of power.

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