Venezuela says it deported a close ally of Maduro to face judicial proceedings in US
The move could make Saab a witness against Nicolás Maduro as U.S. prosecutors probe an alleged bribery scheme tied to food contracts.
- On Saturday, Venezuelan authorities deported Alex Saab, a close ally of Maduro, to face U.S. judicial proceedings less than three years after President Joe Biden pardoned him.
- Since taking power following Maduro's ouster, President Delcy Rodr stripped Saab of his Cabinet role, ending his position as the primary investment conduit for foreign companies.
- Federal prosecutors are investigating Saab's role in an alleged bribery conspiracy involving the CLAP food program and his longtime partner Alvaro Pulido, centered on Venezuelan government contracts.
- Long described by U.S. officials as Maduro's "bag man," Saab may now be asked to testify against his former protector, who awaits trial on drug charges in Manhattan.
- Citing ongoing U.S. criminal investigations, the Venezuelan immigration authority referred to Saab only as a "Colombian citizen," likely circumventing laws prohibiting the extradition of Venezuelan nationals.
170 Articles
170 Articles
Personal friend of Maduro, Saab was arrested in Venezuela, at Washington's request, in February. He was now deported to the United States, accused of corruption in January.
der Standard AT
der Standard DESaab had previously been charged with money laundering in the U.S. and later released in exchange. He could now provide important information against Maduro
The 54-year-old had grown close to the Venezuelan government during the final years of Hugo Chavez's presidency (1999-2013) and had come to manage a vast import network for Nicolás Maduro's government. Source link: https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2026/05/17/venezuela-alex-saab-un-proche-de-nicolas-maduro-expulse-vers-les-etats-unis_6690137_3210.html Author: Publish date: 2026-05-17 05:55:00 Copyright for syndicated content belongs t…
The government in Caracas has handed over the Venezuelan businessman and confidant of former President Maduro, Saab, to the United States, where he could help the authorities to back up the charges against Maduro.
The U.S. justice accuses businessman Alex Saab of money laundering. She also hopes for information to back up an indictment against Nicolás Maduro.
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wfmd.comMaduro’s alleged ‘bag man’ Alex Saab arrested less than 3 years after Biden pardon: report
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Alex Saab, a 54-year-old Colombian businessman and close ally of captured former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was reportedly deported after his February arrest in a joint U.S.-Venezuelan operation. The development comes less than three years after former President Joe Biden pardoned and released Saab in a controversial 2023 prisoner swap. The high-profile arrest highlights a new level of cooper…
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