Pedro Tellechea, the former minister of Industry and Oil in Venezuela, has been arrested, as confirmed by the Public Prosecutor, Tarek William Saab.

Attorney General Tarek Saab said Pedro Tellechea was detained over “serious crimes that threaten the highest interests of the nation.”

Pedro Tellechea, Venezuela’s former oil minister, had resigned just days before prosecutors announced his arrest.

Venezuelan authorities have arrested former industry and oil minister Pedro Tellechea, Attorney General Tarek Saab said on Monday, the latest high-profile detention connected to management of Venezuela's sanctioned oil industry.

Venezuela arrestó al exministro de Petróleo Pedro Tellechea durante el fin de semana como parte de una purga interna en la compañía petrolera estatal tras la disputada reelección del presidente Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuela’s top prosecutor has announced the arrest of a former oil minister and accused him of working with the U.S. government to undermine the industry that drives the country’s economy.

Venezuela on Monday announced the arrest of a former oil minister accused of links to a firm controlled by US intelligence services -- the latest scandal to shake the crisis-hit country's energy sector.

Venezuela detained former Oil Minister Pedro Tellechea over the weekend as part of an internal purge at the state oil company after President Nicolás Maduro’s disputed reelection.

CARACAS (Reuters) -Venezuelan authorities have arrested former industry and oil minister Pedro Tellechea, attorney general Tarek Saab said on Monday, citing the alleged commission of "grave crimes against the highest interests of the nation.