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2:17
Exiled Venezuelans ask the US to investigate Piedad Córdoba for links to Alex Saab
Through a statement, the Organization of Politically Persecuted Venezuelans in Exile (Veppex) asked the United States justice system to initiate an investigation of former senator Piedad Córdoba.
Alex Saab was extradited to the United States on October 16 for illicit enrichment and money laundering, among others.
From its headquarters in Miami, Veppex issued a statement stating that there is evidence that Piedad Córdoba has strong ties with Alex Saab.
On February 16, Alex Saab has a hearing in a Miami court where he will be scheduled for trial on the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
On the other hand, Saab had appealed to a court of second instance to be treated as a fugitive from justice, something that his lawyers consider illegal, since the defendant had diplomatic immunity when he was arrested in Cape Verde, after the United States issued an arrest warrant.
Colombian television media reported last Sunday that in a statement to the Prosecutor's Office, Córdoba's former communications adviser, Andrés Vásquez, testified that former Senator Córdoba introduced Alex Saab to Nicolás Maduro and other members of the Venezuelan government.
Vásquez, on the other hand, declared that Alex Saab wanted the payment of a debt from the Venezuelan government of 30 million dollars, to which Córdoba agreed to intercede with the condition of a 10% commission.
The former senator is part of the leftist party that promotes Gustavo Petro as a presidential candidate for the elections scheduled for May.
In its statement, Veppex assures that Piedad Córdoba has been the bridge of communication with the Colombian guerrilla.
Jose Antonio Colina, former military officer from Venezuela and president of Veppex, assured that bringing the former senator to justice in the United States is a great step in neutralizing the criminal organization that aims to establish an international network for laundering money from the government of Nicolás Maduro.
Colina concluded by assuring that the main objective of Veppex is to bring all collaborators of the Maduro regime to international justice.
Piedad Córdoba is also accused of delaying the release of Ingrid Betancourt, who is a presidential candidate in Colombia. Ingrid was kidnapped by the FARC for more than six years.
Through "Operation Jaque", carried out on July 2, 2008, Betancourt was rescued along with 14 other hostages, including 3 US citizens.
