Latin American presidents call for Julian Assange's release

Senior WikiLeaks chiefs have held meetings with countries including Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina

A protest by the 'Committee Against the War Milan' and the 'Committee for the Liberation of Julian Assange' in Liberty square, Milan, Italy, in July 2022. EPA

The presidents of major Latin America countries have increased their support for the campaign to free WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

The leaders are urging US President Joe Biden to drop the charges against Assange and set him free.

He is continuing to fight against extradition to the US and is being held at Belmarsh prison in London.

WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson and WikiLeaks ambassador Joseph Farrell have held meetings in recent weeks in Latin American countries including Mexico, Bolivia, Brazil and Argentina.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador raised the issue of Assange at a recent summit with Mr Biden, and has used his daily briefing to highlight his continuing “unjust detention”.

“If he is taken to the United States and sentenced to the maximum penalty … we must begin the campaign to dismantle the Statue of Liberty," said Mr Lopez Obrador.

Julian Assange through the years - in pictures

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  WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court after he was arrested in London in April 2019. Reuters

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  Mr Assange on the balcony of the Ecuadorian embassy in London, in May 2017. Reuters

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  The WikiLeaks founder shakes hands with Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino after a press conference, at which he confirmed he "will be leaving the embassy soon", in August 2014. Getty Images

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  Mr Assange prepares to speak from the balcony of Ecuador's embassy in August 2012. Reuters

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  He covers his eyes during a news conference in central London, in December 2011. AP Photo

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  Mr Assange arrives at the High Court in London in December 2011. Getty Images

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  Protesters cheer as Mr Assange, centre, speaks outside St Paul's Cathedral during the 'Occupy London' protest in October 2011. Getty Images

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  Wearing an ankle tag, Mr Assange at the house where he was required to stay in Suffolk, England, in June 2011. AP Photo

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  Mr Assange arrives at Westminster Magistrates' Court in a prison van with red windows in December 2010. Getty Images

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  He holds up a copy of 'The Guardian' newspaper in London in July 2010, after WikiLeaks published 90,000 secret US military records. Getty Images

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  The Australian is photographed for a portrait in May 2010 in Melbourne. Getty Images

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  A young Julian Assange leaves a Melbourne court after facing charges of computer hacking in May 1995. Getty Images

“It is no longer a symbol of freedom."

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said: “Assange needs to be defended by all of us who love democracy, who love freedom of the press, freedom of trade unions, who love freedom of organisation."

And Alberto Fernandez, President of Argentina, said: “For justice to be done, the United States needs to drop the charges against Assange and put an end to the ongoing extradition proceedings."

Julian Assange's wife says his extradition to US is an attack on press freedom - video

A "night carnival" will be held in London on February 11, including a rally with speeches by supporters and Assange’s wife Stella.

The event will include giant puppets, street performers, sound systems and bands.