Activists linked to Chavista regime propose to exchange U.S. prisoners for Alex Saab

Activists reportedly linked to the Venezuelan regime proposed this Monday in Caracas a prisoner exchange between Colombian businessman Alex Saab, an alleged front man of Nicolás Maduro, for U.S. businessmen who have currently being detained in Venezuela.

"It seems to us a very valid option," 'Free Alex Saab' movement spokesman Roi López in a press conference, referring to a prisoner "swap."

"Here in Venezuela, there are a number of U.S. detainees serving sentences, some for wanting to make attempts against the life of the president, others for economic crimes committed against the nation," Lopez said.

He added that an exchange would be "excellent, because we bring back our diplomat."

Saab was extradited in October last year to the United States after being arrested in Cape Verde on June 12, 2020. Maduro argued that the arrest was "illegal" the process, since the Colombian had "diplomatic" status.

Así lo dijo @RoiLopezRivas, aseguró que "están dadas las condiciones para que se plantee la liberación del diplomático venezolano Alex Saab a través del canje de prisioneros estadounidenses." @NicolasMaduro @JoeBiden @StateDept#FreeAlexSaab

pic.twitter.com/Sh2MIPJyLT

— Rebelde (@Rebeldement3) August 17, 2022

Members of the 'Free Alex Saab' movement criticized the U.S., saying officials have not fought for the release of its U.S. citizens detained in Venezuela.

The United States "is making more effort to free a basketball player in Russia than more than ten U.S. citizens in Venezuela," said spokesman Pedro Carvajalino, referring to the case of Brittney Griner, sentenced in Russia to nine years in prison for drug trafficking.

"All options are on the table," he said.

Two Americans imprisoned in Venezuela were released in March after a visit to Caracas by a Biden Administration delegation: former Citgo group executive Gustavo Cárdenas, convicted of corruption in that subsidiary of state oil company PDVSA; and Cuban-American Jorge Alberto Fernández, detained in early 2021 on the border with Colombia and accused of "terrorism."

Washington has called for the release of Matthew Heath, a former Marine arrested in September 2020 after being labeled a "spy" and accused of plans to attack oil and power facilities.