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๐Ÿ‡ป๐Ÿ‡ช Venezuela /Crime & Justice

Reactions to Alex Saab's handover to the US: 'He made his fortune at the expense of Venezuelans' hunger'

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Alex Saab's transfer to U.S. custody has drawn strong reactions from Venezuelan political figures and investigative journalists.
  • Critics condemn Saab's alleged role in corruption, stating he profited from the hunger of Venezuelans and helped the regime evade sanctions.
  • Questions are raised about the financial cost and transparency of the Venezuelan government's efforts to protect Saab during his detention.

The recent transfer of Alex Saab to U.S. custody has ignited a firestorm of reactions across the Venezuelan political landscape, with many public figures and investigative journalists seizing the moment to condemn his alleged illicit activities and the government's role in facilitating them.

Alex Saab is a criminal who made his fortune at the expense of the hunger of Venezuelans. He became a millionaire selling expired food and helping the regime's leaders evade sanctions and plunder our nation. It is great news for Venezuelans that this criminal faces justice.

· Juan Pablo GuanipaCondemning Alex Saab's alleged illicit activities and expressing satisfaction with his transfer to U.S. custody.

Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent Venezuelan leader, did not mince words, labeling Saab a "criminal" who amassed his fortune "at the expense of the hunger of Venezuelans." Guanipa further accused Saab of enriching himself by selling expired food and aiding regime officials in evading international sanctions and plundering the nation's resources. For many Venezuelans, Saab facing justice in the U.S. is seen as a significant victory against corruption and impunity.

How much money was spent defending Alex Saab? How much money was spent on propaganda and communication mercenaries? Who were the officials who gave Saab the supposed Venezuelan nationality, as well as the 'diplomatic' status? How does Tarek William Saab, who never investigated him but defended him, come out of this?

· Roberto DenizInvestigative journalist raising questions about the financial costs and transparency of the Venezuelan government's actions related to Alex Saab.

Investigative journalist Roberto Deniz, who has extensively covered Saab's alleged involvement in corruption schemes, focused his criticism on the substantial financial resources the Venezuelan administration reportedly expended to shield the businessman. Deniz posed critical questions regarding the transparency of the legal processes and the role of state institutions, inquiring about the costs associated with Saab's defense, propaganda efforts, and the granting of Venezuelan nationality and diplomatic status. He highlighted how his own investigation into Saab's dealings forced him and his colleagues to flee Venezuela.

It is not extradition and much less deportation; deportation is in principle to his country of origin, this is a delivery!

· Zair MundarayPenal lawyer clarifying the nature of Alex Saab's transfer to U.S. custody.

The legal status surrounding Saab's transfer has also become a point of contention. Penal lawyer Zair Mundaray rejected the use of terms like "extradition" or "deportation," asserting that the action was a direct "delivery" to the U.S. Mundaray pointed out the irony that while those opposing the government warned about the irregularities of Saab's appointments, including his non-Venezuelan status, the "Chavistas" remained silent when he was "deported" as a Colombian. This situation underscores the deep divisions and the ongoing struggle for accountability within Venezuela, with Saab's case becoming a symbol of the alleged corruption and mismanagement that has plagued the country.

When we denounced that he could not be a minister for not being Venezuelan, the Chavistas reacted! Now he is 'deported' as a Colombian and the Chavismo is silent!

· Zair MundarayHighlighting the perceived inconsistency in the government's response regarding Saab's nationality and status.
About this summary

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.