Bolivia and Nicaragua join Venezuela in offering asylum for Edward Snowden
Just a few days ago, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, appeared to really be struggling to find a country to take him in after numerous asylum requests were denied.
However, following in the steps of their Latin America neighbor, Venezuela, Bolivia and Nicaragua have offered asylum to the 30-year-old former NSA contractor.
Snowden, who has been living the life of Tom Hanks in The Terminal in a Moscow airport since June 23, may find a place to call home soon.
Bolivian President Evo Morales, who went through the experience of having his plane diverted in Europe last Tuesday said,“We will give asylum to this North American, who is persecuted by his compatriots, if he asks us. We are not afraid,”
President of Nicatagua, Daniel Ortega said in vague words, “We have the sovereign right to help a person who felt remorse after finding out how the United States was using technology to spy on the whole world, and especially its European allies.”
These come after Friday’s statement by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who said, “I have decided to offer humanitarian asylum to the young American, Edward Snowden, so that in the fatherland of (Simon) Bolivar and (Hugo) Chavez, he can come and live away from the imperial North American persecution.”
Interestingly, Russia appears enthused by the Venezuelan offer. According to a Washington Post report Saturday, Alexei Pushkov, head of the foreign affairs committee of Russia’s lower house of parliament, tweeted–“Sanctuary for Snowden in Venezuela would be the best decision.”
To date, Snowden has applied for asylum in more than two dozen countries, in large part thanks to Wikileaks.