2013-07-05 Maduro offers Snowden asylum

Speaking at a televised parade celebrating Venezuela's independence from Spain on 5 July 1811, President Nicolás Maduro announced he will offer asylum to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden.

I have decided to offer humanitarian asylum to the young American, Edward Snowden, so that in the fatherland of Bolivar and Chavez, he can come and live away from the imperial North American persecution.

Snowden is believed to still be in Moscow with WikiLeaks associate Sarah Harrison.

Maduro had earlier rejected a request from the US for Snowden's extradition.

The government of the United States presented to our foreign ministry, as we were flying in, a scrap of paper requesting the extradition of the young Snowden. They do not have the moral right to request the extradition of a young man who is only warning of the illegalities committed by the Pentagon and the CIA and the United States. As head of state, I reject any request for extradition. They are simply disregarding bilateral agreements.