United States: Terrorist found ‘not guilty’, Venezuela demands extradition

Luis Posada Carriles

The Venezuelan government has repeated its request to the United States government for the extradition of terrorist and ex-CIA agent Luis Posada Carriles. Posada Carriles was found not guilty by a Texas court on April 8 of charges of violating US immigration law.

Posada Carriles is wanted by Venezuela for his role in the blowing up a Cuban airplane in 1976 . The plane’s 73 passengers, all civilians, were killed. Posada Carriles escaped from a Venezuelan prison in 1985.

Venezuela’s foreign ministry issued the statement abridged below on April 8.

* * *
The Venezuelan government strongly states its indignation at the farce staged in Texas, and at the continuing protection afforded to the terrorist Luis Posada Carriles.

He was accused, and now declared innocent, of obstructing of justice and illegal immigration. In fact, his guilt has to do with proven terrorist acts.

The US Department of Justice said it was “disappointed” with the court’s sentence. Nevertheless, over the past five years it has done nothing to initiate the extradition process requested by Venezuela and supported by the victims of the Posada Carriles’ terrorist acts.

The US government’s protection of Posada Carriles has become an emblematic case of US double standards in the international fight against terrorism.

The Venezuelan government reiterates its request to extradite Posada Carriles — first presented to the US government in 2005 — so he can be sent to Venezuela and be prosecuted over the terrorist attack that killed 73 people on Cubana de Aviacion flight 455.

Venezuela has delivered a request for the US government to immediately present the extradition request to the US judicial system. This is compliance with the extradition treaty signed by Venezuela and the US.