Malaysian fugitive ‘Fat Leonard’ to be extradited to US in prisoner swap with Venezuela
- Defence contractor Leonard Glenn Francis is the central character in one of the largest bribery scandals in Pentagon history
- Under the deal, the US will also free close Maduro ally Alex Saab in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American nation
The United States freed a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in exchange for the release of 10 Americans imprisoned in the South American country and the extradition of a fugitive defence contractor known as “Fat Leonard” who is at the centre of a massive Pentagon bribery scandal, officials said on Wednesday.
The deal represents the US government’s boldest bid to improve relations with the major oil-producing nation and extract concessions from the self-proclaimed socialist leader.
The largest release of American prisoners in Venezuela’s history comes weeks after the Biden administration agreed to suspend some sanctions, following a commitment by Maduro and an opposition faction to work toward free and fair conditions for the 2024 presidential election.
The release of Alex Saab, a Maduro associate who was arrested on a US warrant for money laundering in 2020 and long was regarded as a criminal trophy by Washington, is a significant concession to the Venezuelan leader.
US officials said the decision to grant him clemency was difficult but essential to bring home jailed Americans, a core administrative objective that in recent years has resulted in the release of criminals who had once been seen as untradeable.