FLASH NEWS
American journalist: State Department allows Sali Berisha to travel to the US
2025-05-08 06:52:18 / POLITIKË
American journalist for "Politico", Marc Caputo, announced through an announcement on his account on the "X" platform that the US State Department has allowed Sali Berisha to travel to the US.
"I asked the State Department about Berisha's visa status and they told me he can come to the US," writes the journalist who also publishes the State Department's response.
"We regularly grant exemptions to facilitate travel for certain individuals to the United States, consistent with our international obligations and our national interests. As such, we will not allow our foreign policy interests or relations with Albania to be held hostage by politicized Biden-era decisions," the US State Department said in a statement sent to the journalist.
Caputo also shared an article from the "Wall Street Journal" newspaper in which the DP campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, gave an interview.
Sali Berisha and the "non grata" status
In May 2021, the US State Department declared Sali Berisha and his family “persona non grata”, accusing him of involvement in significant corruption and obstruction of justice. This decision was based on section 7031(c) of the State Department’s Appropriations Act, which prohibits entry into the US of individuals involved in significant corruption or serious human rights violations.
Berisha has denied the allegations and said they are politically motivated, accusing philanthropist George Soros of spreading the claims. He has taken legal action against Secretary of State Antony Blinken for defamation and has expressed his intention to lobby the Trump administration to reconsider the decision.
Help from Chris LaCivita and the “Make Albania Great Again” campaign
In a significant development, Chris LaCivita, Donald Trump's campaign manager, has pledged to help the Democratic Party of Albania in the upcoming parliamentary elections on May 11. He has used the slogan "Make Albania Great Again," comparing Berisha to Trump and portraying him as a politically persecuted figure by the current government.
LaCivita has stated that he will not lobby for the removal of Berisha's "persona non grata" status, but has emphasized that his campaign is an extension of the assistance he has offered to Trump, aiming to help the Albanian opposition in confronting the current government.
Possible exceptions to the US visa
Despite the “non grata” declaration, the US State Department has the ability to grant exemptions for certain individuals to travel to the US, in accordance with national interests and international obligations. Albanian-American lawyer Peter Lumaj has stressed that it is possible for Berisha to receive such an exemption, especially if he is deemed not to pose a threat to the US.
The political situation in Albania is complex and influenced by internal and external factors. International interventions, especially from the US, and recent developments surrounding Sali Berisha and the Democratic Party are expected to have a significant impact on the upcoming parliamentary elections and the future direction of the country.
Happening now...
America may withdraw from Europe, but not from SPAK
Nga Gentian Gaba
ideas
top
Alfa recipes
TRENDING 
services
- POLICE129
- STREET POLICE126
- AMBULANCE112
- FIREFIGHTER128