Assange’s New Hope? South American Leader Extends Unexpected Invitation

Colombian President Gustavo Petro extended an invitation to WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange to visit the country following the news of his release from British captivity on Tuesday morning. After spending more than 1,900 days in the Belmarsh maximum-security prison at the request of the US, Assange is anticipated to admit guilt for disseminating state secrets as part of a plea agreement.

He is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Saipan, a US-controlled Pacific territory, and is expected to be released later this week, marking the end of his two-decade-long legal battle. President Petro expressed his congratulations to Assange for his regained freedom, denouncing his prolonged imprisonment and torture as an assault on global press freedom.

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Petro emphasised that Assange’s imprisonment was unjust, particularly for exposing the US military’s actions in Iraq, which he described as a crime.

The Colombian leader also extended an invitation for Assange and his wife Stella to visit Colombia as a gesture of genuine freedom, echoing sentiments shared by former Bolivian President Evo Morales, who praised Assange for revealing the truth behind US actions to the world.