Álex Saab: this is the United States’ plan so that he does not escape – Investigative Unit

In the last hours it was shown that the Barranquilla Álex Saab Morán is not a simple contractor of the Nicolás Maduro regime. His appointment as permanent and plenipotentiary ambassador to Africa – revealed by EL TIEMPO – confirmed the importance that this has for Maduro, who is desperately trying to grant him immunity in advance of his extradition to the United States.

(We invite you to read: Nicolás Maduro has everything ready to take Álex Saab to Ethiopia)

The diplomatic move to favor the noted figurehead of the Venezuelan dictator was dismissed by the Trump government. But it began to confirm what was until now a rumor.

The newspaper ‘The New York Times’ noted a few days ago that the San Jacinto missile cruiser carried out a military mission in Cape Verde to prevent Saab from fleeing and had already been withdrawn from the area.

(You may be interested: Cape Verde raids offices of executives involved in Saab case)

However, EL TIEMPO confirmed that it was not an isolated event and that, in addition to judicial movements, the United States is executing discreet military tactics around a plot that goes beyond millionaire shady contracts signed by Saab or hiding gold and dollars stolen by the regime.

For federal agents, it is clear that Maduro’s attempt to protect Saab is due to the fact that the Barranquilla has the keys to secret agreements with Iran, Turkey and even Russia, which can affect the security of the United States and the region.

In fact, 5 days ago, Iran came out to accuse the Trump government of making provocative military maneuvers, through the region, with bomber planes, which could scale.

(Also: What does the US say about Saab being Maduro’s plenipotentiary ambassador?)

“The warship San Jacinto has already been moved from those coordinates. But I can confirm that another cruise ship arrived to replace it and at this moment one more is approaching from the North Atlantic “a federal source from the United States told this newspaper.

Monitoring

And he added that although they carry out 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 that island country.

EL TIEMPO also confirmed that two friendly European countries have been supporting surveillance in the area since June, when Saab was captured in transit to Iran, where he was going to trade gasoline, food and medicine, in the face of the pandemic, but also the aggressive blockade gringo.

(In context: Cape Verde denies home jail to Álex Saab and challenges ruling)

“One of those countries has a vessel in nearby waters designed to monitor communications. Like our cruise ships, they have satellites and technology ”, explained the source.

And he added that it was thanks to this monitoring that an Iranian plane was detected, which Cape Verde denied a permit to stay. Unconfirmed information says that the aircraft then left for Venezuela, without the cargo it wanted: Saab.

By that time, Venezuela was already asking that, through a humanitarian gesture, Saab be authorized to spend the end of the year holidays with his family. Or at least be granted the house arrest ordered by the West African Court of Justice (Cedeao).

(On the subject: Maduro warns Cape Verde for keeping Álex Saab prisoner)

In a cocktail of legal-diplomatic arguments, Saab’s defense says that there is already expiration of terms, without their situation being defined. And that Saab is a diplomat with immunity.

The issue began to move with more force when the San Jacinto left Cape Verdean waters. They even managed to propose opening a diplomatic headquarters in that country so that Saab could use it as a home jail.

Procrastination

Parallel to the military panel, officials from the Department of Justice have already responded to the concerns that the Supreme Court of Cape Verde raised about Saab’s extradition.

The memorials include, among other points, why some of the charges on which the extradition request was initially based were dropped. These are related to the Colombian brothers Reinaldo and José Slebi, who –as revealed by EL TIEMPO– 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 file 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.

Biden and retroactivity

In fact, the incoming US government is already aware of the two boards on which the case is moving and of the strategic and geopolitical importance of Saab finally being extradited.

But it remains to be seen whether the Biden administration will follow that line of action and even step up pressure.

(It may be of interest to you: Álex Saab accuses Cape Verde of circumventing order to get him out of 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 that a squad arrives in Cape Verde to extract or assassinate him for what they know,” a federal source told EL TIEMPO without hesitation.

(You may be interested: DEA tracks two ex-allies of Álex Saab in Barranquilla)

At the moment, Saab’s lawyers continue to seek case law to show that the immunity granted him by his new position is retroactive.

“Contrary to the misleading position of the United States, the principle of retroactive diplomatic immunity is recognized by the federal courts of the United States,” says his defense.

(In context: The Bogota woman in the DEA’s sights for turns and ties with Álex Saab)

And while the United States qualifies that appointment as a false step, without effect, the defense says that there are two cases in which courts refused to question the certification of diplomatic status, despite the fact that the individuals did not hold those positions at the time. of the alleged irregularities.Saab, for his part, spent his first New Year in a 2-by-2-meter cell, with limited communications and the title of plenipotentiary ambassador.

What is the extradition about?

In Cape Verde, the judicial vacancy is lifted on January 15. That Friday, Álex Saab’s file, which 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 his house arrest. And now, as the plenipotentiary ambassador of Venezuela, they will request immediate freedom under penalty of fines for Cape Verde.

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