Caracas, December 24, 2022 (venezuelanalysis.com) – Florida judge Robert Scola has rejected a motion to dismiss criminal charges against Venezuelan government envoy Alex Saab by ruling against claims to diplomatic immunity. During the recent hearings, prosecution attorneys likewise pointed to the fact that Saab did not disclose his alleged diplomatic status during reported meetings with US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) officials as part of a supposed cooperation deal that saw him forfeit some US $12.5 million. Defense lawyers had rebutted Judge Scola’s claim that Washington’s non-recognition of the Maduro government should rule out Saab’s diplomatic status by arguing that the businessman never set foot on US soil.