Venezuela says it deported a close ally of Maduro to face judicial proceedings in US
The deportation could make Saab a witness in U.S. cases tied to a $350 million money laundering scheme, officials said.
- 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.
200 Articles
200 Articles
Venezuela extradites billionaire tycoon to the US
CARACAS, Venezuela — A scandal-plagued billionaire tycoon close to Venezuela’s deposed president, Nicolás Maduro, was extradited to the United States on Saturday, Venezuela’s government said. The post Venezuela extradites billionaire tycoon to the US appeared first on Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
"Alex Saab was expelled to the United States on Saturday," said the Venezuelan authorities. "He was considered a key intermediary in power, as the country tried to adapt to international sanctions. - Venezuela: who is Alex Saab, this close friend of Nicolas Maduro expelled to the United States? (International).
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.
He has been accused for years of illegally enriching himself through government contracts and acting as the chavista leader's frontman. More information: Detained Alex Saab, former assistant minister to Maduro, in an FBI operation with the government of Delcy Rodríguez
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…
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