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Extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador; Alternate Permanent Representative of the Venezuelan Mission to the African Union.
That is the new title granted by the Nicolás Maduro regime to Álex Saab Morán from Barranquilla, a designated figurehead of Nicolás Maduro, imprisoned since June 13 in Cape Verde for a money laundering operation of more than 350 million dollars.
(We invite you to read: Maduro’s move to grant Álex Saab immunity)
This is the office with which Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza asks Saab to assume immediate functions in Ethiopia.
This was revealed this Monday by EL TIEMPO and indicated by a letter signed by the regime’s foreign minister, Jorge Arreaza, who has just asked the African Union for its plenipotentiary ambassador to assume his duties in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), “as soon as possible. “, protected by the total immunity granted by this type of appointment.
(You may be interested: Cape Verde denies Álex Saab’s house jail and defies ruling)
In fact, This newspaper established that Venezuela already has everything ready to move Saab to Ethiopia and that the request for humanitarian protection, so that he could spend Christmas and New Year with his family, was a plan B while they executed the diplomatic move.
Accreditation with the African Union is important because of the organization’s position on the immunity of heads of state and other senior officials, “says Rutsel Martha
This is the office in which Jorge Arreaza announces that Álex Saab is plenipotentiary ambassador.
There are 6,907 kilometers between Cape Verde and Ethiopia, covered by a private flight in 12 hours.
(You might be interested: This is Álex Saab’s credit card that entangles 2 Colombians)
This is the office in which Saab is promoted in diplomatic status to give it immunity.
“Accreditation before the African Union is important due to the position of that organization on the immunity of heads of state and other high officials,” says Rutsel Martha, a lawyer for Saab, in a document exclusively revealed by EL TIEMPO.
(Also: Why is Piedad Córdoba still in the DEA’s dossier on Álex Saab?)
“What is clear is that the African Union considers the immunity of high-ranking officials to be something that should be taken seriously. It is therefore logical that the African Union expects all its member states, including Cape Verde, to respect the international status of the representatives of the governments accredited to the organization. Among them is now Mr. Alex Saab “, adds Martha’s document.
For the US, it is clear that Nicolás Maduro fears that Álex Saab will be extradited. That is why he is appointed by his plenipotentiary ambassador.
And a person close to the defense stressed that this type of appointment does not need to be ratified: “They are automatic and also the benefits it brings.”
(See here all the articles of the Investigative Unit of EL TIEMPO)
EL TIEMPO established that Cape Verde and the United States are preparing a response to this last minute move. For sources in Washington it is clear that these types of immunities are not retroactive.
In addition, they ensure that the appointment shows the desperation of the regime for what Saab can tell about the dollars and gold bars that have left Venezuela for Iran, Russia and Turkey.
(In context: Maduro warns Cape Verde for keeping Álex Saab in prison)
In any case, the appointment has already been notified to Saab, who has a letter that accredits him as an extraordinary and plenipotentiary Ambassador; Alternate Permanent Representative of the Venezuelan Mission to the African Union.
INVESTIGATIVE UNIT
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