Maduro defends alleged figurehead Saab in the United Nations Human Rights Council

The president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, defended this Monday, at the opening of the session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Colombian-Venezuelan Alex Saab, accused of being an alleged figurehead of the president, and assured that the trial that faces in the US “is riddled with serious vices.”

“His diplomatic immunity, his human rights and his own physical integrity were cruelly and systematically violated. His trial in an American court is riddled with serious vices and aberrant distortions”, Maduro said in his virtual intervention, broadcast in a video through the official channels of his Government.

Saab was extradited to the United States last October from Cape Verde, where he was arrested following an international arrest warrant requested by the US Justice.

The businessman faces a charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering in a Miami court, of which he declared “not guilty” on November 15 before Judge Alicia M. Otazo-Reyes.

Regarding Saab’s extradition, Maduro assured that it was “a kidnapping“which represented”a deliberate and cunning blow” to the development of the dialogue that was held between the Venezuelan Government and the opposition, in Mexico, since August 13, 2021 and that was suspended, by decision of the ruling party, on October 16.

“His second kidnapping and illegal extraction to the United States was a deliberate and cunning blow to the development and continuity of the dialogue and peace process that was taking place in Mexico.“, said.

On another topic, President Maduro referred to the sanctions against Venezuela and assured that the Caribbean country “has been the target of 502 unilateral coercive measures” that have impacted the economy.

“The illegal actions against our people, carried out by the imperialist elite of the United States, the neo-colonial elite of the European Union and other States and organizations have violated the human rights of our people and the right to development”, pointed out the president.

In this sense, he pointed out to the Bank of England, Novo Banco and Citi Bank to keep “retained” funds that belong to Venezuela.

In addition, Maduro took advantage of his speech to refer to the fight against COVID-19 and assured that Venezuela is among the countries with “better combat performance against coronavirus”.

“A multilateral effort and real political will is needed to defend human life over pharmaceutical profits”, he asserted.

He reiterated that Venezuela reached the goal of 102% of citizens over 18 years of age vaccinated with the “full dose” against COVID-19, although in this scenario he did not explain why the percentage exceeds the total population of legal age by 2%.

However, data from the World Health Organization, updated as of February 18, indicates that 14,966,671 Venezuelan citizens have been vaccinated with two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is equivalent to 49.8% of people with the guideline. complete.