VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT ENVOY ALEX SAAB EXTRADITED TO THE UNITED STATES
By
Venezuelanalysis
October 17, 2021
Above Photo: Caracas has demanded the release of businessman Alex Saab.
Ariana Cubillos/Associated Press.
The Maduro administration blasted the contractors kidnapping and
suspended dialogue with the US-backed opposition.
Venezuelan government envoy Alex Saab has been extradited to the United
States from Cape Verde, where he had been imprisoned since 2020.
The extradition was first reported by local Cape Verde outlets and later
confirmed by US officials. The contractor will face trial in Florida where
he was charged with money laundering.
The Nicolás Maduro government immediately reacted, denouncing the
kidnapping of Saab by the US government. An official statement blasted the
move for violating the Vienna convention. On Saturday evening, National
Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez announced that the government delegation
was suspending its participation in the ongoing talks with the opposition in
Mexico.
The Colombian-born businessman was detained on an Interpol warrant in June
2020 during a stopover in the African archipelago. According to Caracas, he
was en route to Iran to negotiate food and fuel imports on behalf of the
Venezuelan government and carried a diplomatic passport.
On September 8, Cape Verdes Constitutional Court ruled that Saab should be
extradited to the US after dismissing the defenses motion that lower
instances and the Supreme Court had erred in allowing unconstitutional
practices in the proceedings.
Saabs lawyers have denounced political pressure and several
irregularities in the case.
