The authorities of Venezuela They released 21 “political prisoners” this Wednesday – eight Americans and 13 Venezuelans – as part of a “humanitarian exchange” with Washington, which included Alex Saabaccused of being the president’s front man Nicolas Maduro.
Maria Alejandra Poleoa lawyer for the Coalition for Human Rights and Democracy, informed AFP that so far 21 people had been released, “eight Americans and 13 Venezuelans.”
Earlier, the head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, He said he expected “good news” about his compatriots imprisoned in Venezuela, with whom Washington has had rapprochements despite not having formal diplomatic relations.
“We want to make sure our fellow Americans are freed. “We also focus on political prisoners in Venezuela and try to ensure their release,” Blinken declared to reporters.
“We have a lot of work going on on both fronts right now. And we hope to have some good news to share, probably later today.”
Trade unionist Reynaldo Cortés (d) hugs a family member after being released today, in Caracas (Venezuela) | Photo: EFE/ Ronald E. Peña
For its part, Qatar assured that it mediated the agreement as part of a process to “explore areas in which relations can improve.” “Those talks have been productive, and the latest outcome has been the exchange of prisoners,” a spokesperson told AFP.
Accused of conspiracy
Among those released are Americans Luke Alexander Denman and Airan Berrywho were serving a 20-year sentence for a failed armed incursion in Venezuela in 2020.
It is also Savoi Jadon Wrightaccused of being part of a plot to “conspire” in an attempted boycott against the referendum that Venezuela held on Sunday in the midst of a centuries-old territorial dispute with its neighbor Guyanain which it was approved to create a Venezuelan province in the area.
The release of saabwhich responds to a trial for money laundering in Florida, was confirmed by the United States and Venezuela.
Ana Leonor Acostaalso a member of the coalition, said however that the release of these people is part of a “humanitarian exchange,” which includes the Colombian businessman, to whom Maduro granted Venezuelan nationality and an ambassador title.
“We are happy for the families of Luke, Airan, and the other Americans they will meet today. However, we ask for the freedom of the 290 political prisoners who still remain in Venezuela,” he said in a video published on the social network X.
Among the released Venezuelans is a group of union members arrested in July 2022 amid demonstrations for wage increases and who had been sentenced to 16 years in prison in a trial for “conspiracy” and “criminal association.”
It also appears Roberto Abdula member of the NGO Súmate, which organized the opposition primaries, accused of “treason to the country” and “conspiracy with a foreign power.”
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Trade unionist Gabriel Blanco (c) hugs a family member after being released today, in Caracas (Venezuela). At least eleven people were released, including six trade unionists who had been sentenced last August to 16 years in prison for the crimes of conspiracy and association to commit a crime, a case that was criticized by several international organizations | Photo: EFE/ Ronald E. Peña
Saab, exchange token
saab He was extradited from Cape Verde to the United States in October 2021. The US prosecutor’s office accuses him along with his partner, Álvaro Pulido, detained in Venezuela in another corruption scheme related to the state-owned PDVSA, of transferring 350 million dollars obtained illegally in Venezuela to launder them through the United States.
The arrest and extradition of saab to the United States infuriated the Venezuelan government, which claims that the businessman was working as a special envoy for Caracas at the time of his arrest and that the American justice system had not respected his diplomatic immunity.
saab It ended up becoming a bargaining chip for Maduro, who has demanded his release to unblock and advance a process of negotiations with the opposition, mediated by Norway.
In fact, the table was suspended in 2021 due to the extradition of saab and recently resumed amid pressure from Washington, which today has a direct channel of communication with Maduro, despite not having formal relations for more than four years.
In October, as part of the dialogue table, the government and the opposition agreed to set the presidential elections in the second half of 2024 with international observation and to create a mechanism to lift political disqualifications.
The United States in response temporarily lifted an oil embargo imposed in 2019.
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