An American judge has denied most money laundering allegations against Maduro’s political ally.
According to Reuters, a US judge on Monday denied most of the money laundering charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s political ally, Alexander Saab, but he is still charged with conspiracy to commit a money laundering case.
Florida Judge Robert Scola issued the ruling. The Venezuelan president’s political ally will face up to 20 years in prison for the remaining charges.
Prosecutors estimate that Colombian businessman Alexander Saab extorted about $ 350 million from Venezuela through money laundering.
The Venezuelan government has announced it has suspended talks with the opposition after Cape Verde extradited Colombian businessman Alex Saab, a Venezuelan envoy, to the United States on money laundering charges. The talks were scheduled to resume later this week.
This is the latest major challenge and obstacle to the Norwegian-mediated negotiations between the Venezuelan government and the opposition.
“We urge our counterparts to resume talks in Mexico as soon as possible in order to reach the necessary agreements,” said Gerardo Blade, the chief opposition negotiator.
