Guayaquil, Ecuador, April 6, 2022 (venezuelanalysis.com) – The defense of Venezuelan government special envoy Alex Saab has begun a judicial battle before a US appeals court to have his diplomatic immunity recognized and secure an immediate release. Saab’s lawyers have built a defense case around the violation of the Colombo-Venezuelan businessman’s diplomatic status as a special envoy to Iran when he was arrested in Cape Verde in 2020 under US government orders. The Nicolás Maduro government has likewise reiterated that Saab is a trusted business ally and was given diplomatic immunity to help secure essential imports amidst US sanctions, playing a critical role in trade agreements between Iran and Venezuela.