WASHINGTON (AP) – Trump administration plans to give African leaders He was accused of stealing resources in a poor country To feed the lifestyle of luxury cars, mansions and superyachts, we will temporarily pass US corruption sanctions, travel to high-level UN rallies in New York and visit other American cities.
Two US officials familiar with the issue said the State Department is handling a month’s sanctions exemption for the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea. Theodoro “Teddy” Nguema obiangfollowing the recommendation that it is in the US national interest to slow China’s growing influence in West African countries and to boost the interests of American oil and gas businesses there. Officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal control deliberations.
Waiver allows Obian – there is a gorgeous lifestyle famous among world leaders accused of corruption It attracted the attention of prosecutors in several countries – Travel to cities other than New York. This includes Miami and Los Angeles, where he owned real estate and luxury cars, some of which had to be confiscated through legal proceedings.
The Trump administration has while moving to ease restrictions on many dedicated African leaders Cracked visa For many foreigners, including cancelling or denying people I don’t think that is desirable Already in the US or about to travel here. It includes Refusing visas to Palestinian authorities leaders I’ll be at the UN meeting this month Consider the restrictions About delegations from Iran, Brazil and other countries.
Equatorial Guinea’s Vice President faces a long list of allegations
Obian is the obvious son of the aging leader in Equatorial Guinea, a poor but oily former Spanish colony. He is in charge of national defense and safety and has long faced sanctions from the US and other countries.
His father, Theodoro Obian Nuguema Mbasogo Africa’s longest president. He has been in power since 1979 and is accused of widespread corruption and authoritarianism. Despite oil and gas wealth, at least 70% of Equatorial Guinea’s nearly two million people live in poverty, but officials, families and peers have been accused of looting the state’s resources.
That’s what Teddy Obian was in 2017 Convicted of embezzlement Millions of Euros by French courts filed him with a three-year suspended sentence, a fine of EUR 30 million, and ordered the seizing of his gorgeous homes and cars in France worth tens of millions of euros. It’s in the country I protested against the attack At the International Court of Justice.
In 2023, South Africa confiscated two of the Vice President’s villa and a superyacht as part of a successful lawsuit by South African citizens who condemned the illegal arrest and torture of the Equatorial Guinea government.
Obian also reached a settlement with the US in 2014, waiving more than $30 million in assets, including the Malibu mansion, Ferrari and a collection of memorabilias from Michael Jackson.
“Through merciless embezzlement and fear tor, Vice President Nguema Obiang shamelessly plundered the government and rocked business to support a gorgeous lifestyle in his country.
“After attracting millions with bes and kickbacks, Nguema Obiang embarked on corruption-fueled spending in the US,” she said at the time.
We are seeking close bonds to blunt China-Russia’s invasion
US officials said the decision to advance the exemption was based in part on the fact that China, the Equatorial Guinea presence, is trying to build a naval base there. The proposed base will be second in Africa after Djibouti, but the first in the Atlantic.
Officials said the argument for granting a waiver would help build goodwill with Obian, who is responsible for such decisions, help Russia’s growing influence in Equatorial Guinea, and support US companies, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
Officials said there are concerns that denying the waiver will put a serious strain on US relations with Equatorial Guinea.
The State Department declined to comment, but emails to the Equatorial Guinea presidency were not immediately returned. Neither the embassy to Equatorial Guinea nor the UN’s mission could be reached on Friday for comment.
Officials say US corruption sanctions against Obian include restrictions on the types of visas he was allowed to obtain due to previous UN events.
Many other current and former world leaders and government officials are subject to US corruption sanctions and travel restrictions. Venezuelan President Nicolas Madurowho is unlikely to travel to the US for the UN General Assembly American military strike This week we destroyed a drug smuggling container in Venezuela.
Meanwhile, the government has been in power over the last few months. Cracked student visa owner Due to the enhanced requirements of anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian activities and the requirements for citizens of many countries, they say additional security scrutiny is needed. You need to make money To demonstrate that they respect the terms of the visa.
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Associated Press writer Mark Bunchelow in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to the report.
