Judge claims Chavez manipulates courts after fleeing drug scandal

A Venezuelan Supreme Court judge removed from his post last month for allegedly assisting a drug trafficker has accused his former bosses of manipulating the courts.

Eladio Aponte fled Venezuela two weeks ago and sought refuge in Costa Rica. He is now in the US, in the care of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“It’s very corrupt at every single level. There’s a lot of manipulation,” Mr Aponte told Miami-based Soi TV. Washington could use his testimony to further discredit president Hugo Chavez, while also raising the prospect of charges being brought against senior Venezuelan officials.