Alex Saab was received by Nicolás Maduro after his release in the US (Portal/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
The Venezuelan regime included the Colombian businessman in its delegation this Thursday for negotiations with the opposition. Alex Saabreleased in the United States on Wednesday after 1,286 days in custody, charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering.
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“We would like to inform you that, of course, on the instructions of President Nicolás Maduro Moros, Citizen Alex Saab joins the dialogue table as an authorized member“, announced the official chief negotiator, Jorge Rodríguezin a press conference at the headquarters of the National Assembly (AN, Parliament).
Additionally, the president of the Legislature said he would continue to serve “as a member plenipotentiary.” Camilla Fabri, Saab's wifefor their “outstanding achievements, especially at the social tables set up jointly with the Minister of Science and Technology”, Gabriela Jimenezand the Vice Minister for Anti-Blockade Policy, William CastilloMembers of the official delegation.
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Fabri, Jiménez and Castillo, he continued, “discussed with their counterpart all the elements that led to the social agreement signed in November 2022,” which established the creation of a fund with which the United Nations would block Venezuelan resources abroad for urgent needs would manage. – that “the United States government boycotted.”
Jorge Rodriguez with Sabb (Portal/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)
Rodríguez, who celebrated the “rescue” of Saab, pointed out that in addition to a “negotiation behind the scenes” that “Venezuela” had conducted and which was “laborious, hard” and “difficult”, there was also a “immense effort for defense“the businessman”from a legal point of view“.
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After his release in the United States, Saab, a close associate of Maduro, arrived in Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon He was welcomed by his wife, five children and the First Lady, Cilia FloresAnd then from the head of state at the Miraflores Presidential Palace in Caracas.
The regime celebratedwith joy the liberation and return to their homeland“ of the businessman whom he recognizes as a diplomat, although the charges were rejected by the US judiciary when he requested his extradition from Cape Verde, where he was arrested on June 12, 2020.
According to the indictment, Saab and his right-hand man between November 2011 and September 2015 Alvaro Pulido – arrested in the Caribbean country in April this year for alleged corruption – conspired with others to launder their illegal profits and transfer them from Venezuela to bank accounts in the United States, which is why Washington was responsible in the case.
The release of Saab came at a time when Venezuela also made the release about thirty peoplewere considered political prisoners, including 10 Americans whose swap for Saab was negotiated between the two countries.
(With information from EFE)