Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says he’s decided to offer asylum to Snowden, who’s still thought to be inside a Moscow airport.
"I announce to the governments of the friendly nations of the world that we have decided to offer the international humanitarian right of asylum to protect this young man Edward Snowden from the persecution that has been unleashed by the most powerful imperialist in the world. This persecution is against a young man who only spoke the truth." Maduro said.
Maduro made the offer during a televised military parade marking Venezuela’s independence day. The White House has refused to comment on Venezuela’s offer.
Meanwhile, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega also says his government is willing to grant political asylum to Snowden, under the right conditions. Ortega confirmed a formal asylum request had been lodged by Snowden, via its embassy in Moscow.
Last month, Snowden leaked details of secret global and domestic surveillance programs carried out by the US National Security Agency. It caused much anger in the US, which has charged him with espionage. Snowden was in Hong Kong when exposed the covert programs. He then flew to Moscow.