International
Venezuelan President receives diplomat Alex Saab after his release from prison
December 21 |
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro received on Wednesday diplomat Alex Saab, who was released after more than 1,280 days kidnapped in the United States (US).
The meeting is held at the Miraflores Palace, seat of the Government, in Caracas (capital), after the diplomat arrived in the country at the International Airport of Maiquetía Simón Bolívar, in the state of La Guaira, being received by the first combatant and deputy of the National Assembly, Cilia Flores, along with the diplomat’s wife, Camila Fabri, and other family members.
After receiving the diplomat, the President declared that “the only truth is that Alex Saab’s only crime was to overcome criminal sanctions, to look for medicines in times of pandemic”.
“I want to welcome this brave man, patriot, who resisted 1,280 days, 40 months, the most adverse conditions, the most painful, of kidnapping, filthy jails, physical torture, psychological torture, threats, lies; and after 1,280 days of kidnapping, the truth has triumphed, justice has triumphed”, he highlighted.
The Head of State said that he knew that “this day had to come, and this day has arrived”; he also thanked the efforts made by the President of the National Assembly (AN), Jorge Rodríguez, as well as the Governor of Miranda State, Héctor Rodríguez, “who have led this whole process that has allowed this exchange today with the Government of the United States of America, and the safe, alive and free rescue of Alex Saab Morán”.
“All the medicines that you were looking for Alex, arrived to the people; all the vaccines, arrived to the people. While you were kidnapped and tortured in Cape Verde, infamous Cape Verde, all those vaccines and medicines arrived. When that tremendous crisis due to the blockade, all the gasoline that you got in the world, arrived; all the food for the CLAP, arrived while you were kidnapped, Alex. All this arrived for a dignified people”, the President emphasized.
President Maduro also thanked “the negotiation part, Dr. Gerardo Blyde, and all the negotiation commission of the Barbados table, because they have also been part of the Barbados agreements and of this exchange that has taken place today”.
“I would like to thank in a very special way the Emir of Qatar, the State of Qatar, the Government of Qatar, because it has been a brilliant facilitator, of exquisite diplomacy for the rapprochement, for the dialogues, for the signing of the agreements, and for the partial fulfillment of the signed agreements (…) I am very grateful to all those who have contributed for this agreement to be fulfilled, for this positive step to be taken, for this exchange to take place”, he declared.
The President indicated to his US counterpart, Joe Biden, as well as to the politicians of that country, that “here is Venezuela standing up, with its own model, independent, sovereign, we will be nobody’s colony”. Likewise, he explained that they had previously talked with former President Donald Trump for the release of Saab, “we almost had it ready, what happened is that he lost the elections and there was a change of government, then we had to start all over again, but with Donald Trump we already had an agreement ready”.
On his part, diplomat Saab stated that “life is a constant miracle and today the miracle of freedom, the miracle of justice, has come true”, and thanked those who supported him during his kidnapping.
Thanks to the people of Venezuela. I am proud to serve the people of Venezuela and to serve this Government, a humane Government, a loyal Government, a Government that does not abandon and a Government that, like me, never gives up.
Previously, the Venezuelan Government informed in a communiqué, published by the Vice President of Communication, Culture and Tourism, Freddy Ñáñez, in which it is emphasized that “the people receive him with pride after having suffered three and a half years of illegal detention under cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, violating his human rights and the Vienna Convention that confers diplomatic immunity”.
At the time, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry denounced the arbitrary detention of diplomat Saab in Cape Verde, on June 12, 2020, and his illegal transfer to the U.S., on October 16, 2021.
“At the time of his illegal capture, Saab was traveling to Iran as a diplomatic agent of the Venezuelan State, in order to facilitate the acquisition of food in view of the impact of the Unilateral Coercive Measures (MCU) against the Local Supply and Production Committees (Clap), a mechanism of articulation with the communities that distributes food to more than 7 million families,” the Foreign Ministry explained.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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