2025News

Senasa fraud suspects sent to Las Parras Jail

In a surprising twist following the major fraud indictment against the National Health Insurance (Senasa), former director Santiago Hazim and six co-defendants in the National Health Insurance (Senasa) case have been relocated to the Las Parras correctional facility in the municipality of San Antonio de Guerra, where they are set to serve their 18-month pre-trial detention.

This move directly countermands the original order issued by the National District Permanent Attention Office judge, Rigoberto Sena, who had explicitly designated the Najayo Hombres Correction and Rehabilitation Center for the accused.

The reason for the eleventh-hour change has been attributed to severe overcrowding at the Najayo facility. The Director General of Penitentiary and Correctional Services (DGSPC), Roberto Santana, sent an official communication to the presiding judge, asserting that Najayo simply could not accommodate the new group of high-profile inmates.

The following individuals, indicted alongside Hazim in the Senasa case, were transferred to Las Parras: Santiago Hazim (Former Senasa director), Gustavo Enrique Messina Cruz, Francisco Iván Minaya Pérez, Germán Rafael Robles Quiñones, Rafael Luis Martínez Hazim, and Ramón Alan Speakler Mateo.

Meanwhile, the sole female defendant, Ada Ledesma Ubiera, was dispatched to the designated Najayo Women’s facility in San Cristóbal province, as this facility apparently did not face the same population constraints.

The report also noted that other defendants who received house arrest are now in the process of complying with the court’s stipulations, having successfully paid the required economic guarantees. Accused Eduardo Read for the Grupo Read and Cinty Acosta and Heidi Pineda were allowed to post bail and house arrest reportedly for their collaborations with the investigation.

Listin Diario reports on protests of religious authorities to the lenience of the government with suspects who are collaborating with the authorities.

Read more in Spanish:
El Dia
Listin Diario

16 December 2025