Maduro says no talks with opposition until US releases ally

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro told reporters on Sunday that talks with the opposition will not restart until the United States releases to government envoy Alex Saab, Reuters reported. 

The Venezuelan government last month withdrew from negotiations that started in August after Saab, a Colombian businessman, was extradited to the U.S. over accusations of money laundering.

Norway had been sponsoring talks between the two sides aimed at ending the country’s protected social and economic crisis.

Prosecutors said that Saab, a top government envoy for Venezuela, diverted about $350 million out of Venezuela through the U.S. in a bribery scheme, Reuters reported. 

Maduro supporters accuse the U.S. of waging economic warfare with the charges against Saab. The U.S.-backed opposition said Saab added to the suffering of Venezuelans by enriching himself through commercial agreements with the government. 

Saab, who was detained in Cape Verde last year, has pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges, according to court documents filed on Nov. 15, per Reuters.