In the last hours it was demonstrated that the barranquillero Àlex Saab Morán is not a simple contractor of the regime of Nicholas Maduro. Its appointment like permanent and plenipotentiary ambassador before Africa – revealed by the time confirmed the importance that this one has for Maduro, who is desperately trying to grant immunity ad porte from his extradition to the United States.
(We invite you to read: Nicolás Maduro has everything ready to take Alex Saab to Ethiopia)
Entrepreneur Àlex Saab went from being a simple contractor to a plenipotentiary ambassador of Venezuela.
Archive / THE TIME
The diplomatic move to favor the noted Venezuelan dictator’s ringleader was rejected by the Trump administration. But he began to confirm what until now was a rumor.
The New York Times reported a few days ago that the San Jacinto missile cruiser was on a military mission to Cape Verde to prevent Saab from escaping and had already been withdrawn from the area.
(You may be interested: Cape Verde flattens executive offices involved in Saab case)
However, EL TEMPS confirmed that this was not an isolated event and that, in addition to judicial moves, the United States is executing discreet military tactics around a plot that goes beyond millionaire murky contracts signed by Saab or the concealment of gold and dollars stolen by the regime.
Nicolás Maduro’s desperation to protect Alex Saab from extradition is evident. His judicial and diplomatic moves show that he is not a mere contractor inherited from Hugo Chávez.
For federal agents it is clear that Maduro’s attempt to protect Saab is due to the barranquillero having the keys to secret agreements with Iran, Turkey and even Russia, which may affect the security of the United States and the United States. region.
In fact, 5 days ago, Iran came out to accuse the Trump administration of making provocative military maneuvers, for the region, with bombers, which could escalate.
(Also: What does the US say about Saab being Maduro’s plenipotentiary ambassador?)
“The warship San Jacinto has already been moved from these coordinates. But I can confirm that another cruise arrived to replace it and at this time one more is approaching from the North Atlantic.”, A federal source from the United States told this newspaper.
The warship San Jacinto was already moved from these coordinates. But I can confirm that another cruise has arrived and right now one more is approaching from the North Atlantic “: USA.
monitoring
And he added that while they perform alternate missions in the area, surveillance around Saab is one of them. In addition, that for the same purpose there are several agents in the embassy of his country in Cape Verde, the oldest diplomatic mission in this island country.
EL TEMPS also confirmed that two friendly European countries have been supporting surveillance in the area since June, when Saab was caught in transit to Iran, where it was going to negotiate petrol, food and medicine, in the face of the pandemic, but also of the aggressive gringo blockade.
(In context: Cape Verde denies Alex Saab house arrest and challenges failure)
“One of these countries has a ship in nearby waters to monitor communications. Like our cruise ships, they have satellites and technology,” the source explained.
And he added that it was thanks to this monitoring that an Iranian plane was detected to which Cape Verde denied permission to stay. Unconfirmed information says the aircraft then departed for Venezuela, without the cargo it wanted: Saab.
This is the office with which Chancellor Jorge Arreaza is calling for Saab to assume immediate functions in Ethiopia.
By this time, Venezuela was already asking that, through a humanitarian gesture, Saab be allowed to spend the New Year holidays with the family. Or at least be granted house arrest ordered by the West African Court of Justice (ECOWAS).
(On the subject: Maduro warns Cape Verde to keep Alex Saab imprisoned)
In a cocktail of legal-diplomatic arguments, Saab’s defense says there is already an expiration of terms, without his situation being defined. And that Saab is a diplomat with immunity.
The theme began to move more strongly when St. Hyacinth emerged from Cape Verdean waters. They even proposed opening a diplomatic headquarters in that country for Saab to use as a home prison.
This is the Cape Verdean businessman who held meetings with people close to Saab.
the delay
Parallel to the military board, Justice Department officials have already responded to concerns raised by the Cape Verde Supreme Court over Saab’s extradition.
The memorials include, among other points, why some of the charges on which the extradition request was initially based were withdrawn. These are related to the Colombian brothers Reinaldo and José Slebi, who, as time revealed, enabled a vehicle for Saab to enter money into the financial system of the United States.
When the judicial vacancy is lifted, on January 15, 2021, the case will leave the Court of Appeals, again to the Supreme Court, for the final decision. And it is clear that while this is happening, the United States does not want surprises.
Joe Biden’s administration is already aware of the US judicial position. UU. Around Álex Saab and Venezuela
Biden and retroactivity
In fact, the incoming U.S. government is already aware of the two boards on which the case is moving and the strategic and geopolitical importance of Saab being finally extradited.
But it remains to be seen whether the Biden government will follow this line of action and even step up pressure.
(It may be of interest to him: Alex Saab accuses Cape Verde of circumventing order to release him from prison)
Meanwhile, Saab remains under surveillance. And it is clear that both the regime and its lawyers – including former judge Baltasar Garzón – will continue to fight the legal battle.
“And no one rules out a squadron coming to Cape Verde to extract or kill for what it knows,” a reluctant federal source told EL TEMPS.
(You may be interested: DEA tracks down two Alex Saab exiles in Barranquilla)
For now, Saab’s lawyers continue to look for jurisprudence to show that the immunity that gives him his new position if it is retroactive.
“Contrary to the United States’ misleading position, the principle of retroactive diplomatic immunity is recognized by U.S. federal courts,” his defense says.
(In context: The one in Bogota in the sights of the DEA for twists and turns with Alex Saab)
And while the United States describes the appointment as a false, ineffective step, the defense says there are two cases in which courts refused to question the certification of diplomatic status, even though the individuals did not hold those positions. at the time of the alleged irregularities.Saab, meanwhile, spent its first New Year in a 2 by 2 meter cell, with limited communications and the title of plenipotentiary ambassador.
What is extradition about?
In Cape Verde, the judicial holiday rises on 15 January. This Friday, the case of Alex Saab, who was returned to the Court of Appeals, returns again to the Supreme Court for the final decision.
But his lawyers again summoned Cape Verde to the West African Court of Justice to force him to be placed under house arrest. And now, as plenipotentiary ambassador of Venezuela, they will demand immediate release under penalty of fines for Cape Verde.
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