Tarek El Aissami
| Tareck El Aissami | |
|---|---|
| Governor of Aragua | |
|
Assumed office 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Rafael Isea |
| Minister of Interior and Justice | |
|
In office September 2008 – October 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Ramón Rodríguez Chacín |
| Succeeded by | Néstor Reverol |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 November 1974 |
| Nationality | Venezuelan |
| Political party | PSUV |
| Alma mater | University of the Andes |
| Profession | politician |
| Religion | Druze[1] |
Tareck Zaidan El Aissami Maddah (born 12 November 1974)[2] is a Venezuelan politician and footballer who is the current governor of the state of Aragua. He's currently playing as a striker for Aragua Fútbol Club.
Early life and education
El Aissami was born on November 12, 1974.[3] He spent his childhood in El Vigía, Mérida, Venezuela.[4] His father, Zaidan El Amin El Aissami, who is also known as Carlos Zaidan, was a Druze immigrant from Lebanon[5] and was an alleged military associate of Saddam Hussein.[6][7] He is a graduate of the University of the Andes (ULA), where he was influenced by Utopia 78, a left-wing student movement.[5]
Political career
El Aissami began working for a Venezuelan government department participating in civic duties, where he would issue both passports and identities.[1] In September 2008, he was appointed to be the Interior Minister and Justice of Venezuela under Hugo Chávez's presidency.[8][9] He was previously deputy minister in the same cabinet, and a member of the National Assembly of Venezuela.
He currently serves as the Governor of Aragua. [5]
He has been described as, "One part master of Middle-Eastern networking, one part honorary Cuban revolutionary, and one part highly ambitious chavista."[5] Indeed, his connections to Cuba and Iran have been highlighted by The Wall Street Journal as well as the Center for a Secure Free Society.[5] Moreover, the Gatestone Institute has highlighted his connection to Hezbollah. [10] According to Rafael Isea, Aissami was allegedly paid off by drug kingpin Walid Makled (es) in order to receive drug shipments in Venezuela.[11]
Football career
On February 4th 2015, it was revealed Aragua FC signed him as a striker.[12]
References
- 1 2 "الوزير طارق العيسمي نائبا لرئيس جمهورية فنزويلا". Al Amama. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ↑ http://tareck.psuv.org.ve/biografia/
- ↑ http://tareck.psuv.org.ve/biografia/
- ↑ Ral, Dahir (24 May 2012). "Tareck El Aisamí: Los hombres capaces son los que escriben la historia". Venezolana de Televisión. Retrieved 16 October 2012. (Archive)
- 1 2 3 4 5 Mary Anastasia O'Grady, The Iran-Cuba-Venezuela Nexus: The West underestimates the growing threat from radical Islam in the Americas., The Wall Street Journal, November 23, 2014
- ↑ "Venezuela, el principal nexo de Hezbollah para su ingreso a América del Norte". Infobae. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ↑ Maria Delgado, Antonio (10 September 2014). "Venezuela, trampolin del Hezbola". El Nuevo Herald. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
- ↑ "Chávez Turns to Venezuela Crime with New Council." Latin American Herald Tribune. Retrieved on April 10, 2009.
- ↑ (Spanish) ABN, 9 September 2008, Tarek El Aissami se desempeñará como nuevo titular del MIJ
- ↑ Anna Mahjar-Barducci, Venezuelan Minister Hangs Out With Hezbollah, Gatestone Institute, February 11, 2011
- ↑ DeCórdoba, José; Forero, Juan (18 May 2015). "Venezuelan Officials Suspected of Turning Country into Global Cocaine Hub; U.S. probe targets No. 2 official Diosdado Cabello, several others, on suspicion of drug trafficking and money laundering". Dow Jones & Company Inc. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 19 May 2015.
- ↑ http://gradadigital.com/home/aragua-anuncio-oficialmente-a-tareck-el-aissami-como-nuevo-fichaje-para-el-clausura/
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