In the environment of Alex Saab from Barranquilla, there is expectation for the prisoner exchange that took place this weekend between the governments of Joe Biden and Nicolás Maduro.
Although federal agencies have always said that judicial proceedings are one thing and political others, it is clear that with the confidential negotiations that are taking place between the two countries, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, similar episodes can occur and Alex Saab ( who is going to complete a year in prison) is a candidate to star in them.
Indeed, EL TIEMPO established with sources in Caracas that Nicolás Maduro has been insisting for months that his special envoy to Iran, Turkey and Russia, who is currently on trial in the United States, be released.
The release of Antonio Campo Flores and Francisco Flores de Freitas, nephews of Cilia Flores, is a key precedent for Saab.
These were exchanged for seven Americans who remained under the control of the Chavista government. They are Jorge Toledo, Tomeu Vadell, Alirio Zambrano, José Luis Zambrano, José Pereira, Matthew Heath and Osman Khan.
The Maduro government assured that as a result of the talks held on March 5 between the governments of both countries, “the release of two young Venezuelans unjustly imprisoned was achieved” and that “for humanitarian reasons” the Americans were released.
In addition, Saab would have a certain advantage once morest the drug dealer nephews.
The alleged advantages of Alex Saab
Sources close to the case told EL TIEMPO that the nephews were serving sentences in the United States for drug trafficking. While Saab is prosecuted for corruption, a misdemeanor.
They also note that they continue to wage a legal battle in United States courts to be recognized as ambassador plenipotentiary of Venezuela. Which would mean a special jurisdiction that might invalidate his capture in Cape Verde (on June 12, 2020) and his subsequent extradition to the United States, on October 16, 2021.
To this is added that to pressure his freedom Maduro has conditioned the rea Camila Fabbripartner of Saab, as part of the Chavista delegation in those approaches.
Russia and Iran, a disadvantage
However, in Miami the issue is seen from another perspective. First, they assure that the fact that Saab completes a year in prison on October 16 shows the strength of the case and the fact that the United States has not given in to pressure.
In addition, Alex Saab is not just a corrupt businessman but has relevant information regarding the links between Caracas and an axis that worries the United States: Iran, Turkey and Russia. Some even include China.
And they remember that the Colombian businessman mocked the DEA by becoming their informant for nearly a year and failing to comply with the negotiations around his delivery.
The 2 x 7 Formula
So while some hope Washington will balance the trade (it gave up two for seven), Saab is widely believed to be a heavyweight convict.
For now, President Joe Biden said of the Flores nephews’ case: “I am grateful for the hard work of dedicated public servants throughout the United States government who made this possible. And that they continue to live up to my administration’s unwavering commitment to uphold faith in Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained around the world.”
*The Grupo de Diarios América (GDA), to which El Nacional belongs, is a leading media network founded in 1991 that promotes democratic values, an independent press and freedom of expression in Latin America through quality journalism for our audiences.
