Obama Administration Fails Jewish-American Citizen Detained in Bolivia
Ostreicher was arrested by Bolivian authorities in 2011 and is accused of laundering drug money after he started a rice cultivation business in the country. Ostreicher told ABC News that even though he cooperated with authorities, he was still placed under arrest. Bolivian authorities are questioning the money that was collectively raised from the venture, and for all intents and purposes have assumed that Ostreicher is conducting an illicit business.
“Absolutely 100 percent innocent,” Ostreicher shot back. And the prosecutors know I am 100 percent innocent.”-ABC News
Ostreicher’s wife Miriam Ungar has been interviewed on national television pleading for her husband’s release, but her requests fell on deaf ears until Ungar spoke with Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), wife of Congressman Connie Mack (R-FL), who indicated that she was “eager to help.” Bono Mack told Ungar that she would put her in touch with her husband’s office, and she followed through on her promise.
Congressman Connie Mack is the Chairman of the Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, and he’s launched an inquiry into the matter. Mack’s office has attempted to reach out to Bolivian authorities and is fully engaged on the case. Republican Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey is also getting involved in the case, but to date no member of the Democratic caucus in Congress has spoken out about the issue.
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz has also been noticeably quiet about the matter, and given that many within Jewish community in South Florida are very much aware of the situation, they are beginning to question the Wasserman Schultz’ silence.
Congressional hopeful Karen Harrington released the following statement earlier regarding the lack of effort to seek justice in this matter by Wasserman Schultz and the Obama administration-
U.S. Citizen Jacob Ostreicher has been incarcerated in a Bolivian prison and been accused of money laundering but has not been charged with any crime. Fortunately for Ostreicher, his family’s love and commitment to him in addition to his deep ties within his Orthodox Jewish community have helped him cope with this unfortunate circumstance.
But while the U.S. State Department says that it is closely watching his situation, the Obama administration has yet to react to his wrongful incarceration.
Where is Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz in condemning this violation of Ostreicher’s human rights? It is shameful that Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz, who prides herself as being a human rights and civil liberties advocate… is failing a fellow Jewish-American citizen. –Karen Harrington
The Obama Adminstration is feeling the heat from the Orthodox Jewish community as well as from other concerned Americans after it has been disclosed that Jacob Ostreicher, a U.S. Citizen is being detained in a Bolivian jail without formal charges being entered against him.
Yesterday Obama was boasting about his knowledge of Judaism on the campaign trail; perhaps someone should remind him that he’s no longer a community organizer, but president, and feel-good rhetoric doesn’t get the job done. His failure to take the obvious action to free Jewish-American hostage Alan Gross held in Cuba, and his appeasement of the Cuban dictatorship embolden not only the Castro’s but also other like-minded autocrats.