Venezuelan authorities announced Saturday they have sent a key associate of Nicolás Maduro to the United States to face criminal charges, marking a dramatic shift for Alex Saab, who was freed less than three years ago through a prisoner exchange involving President Joe Biden.
This represents a complete turnaround for Saab, whom Maduro had previously fought vigorously to protect following his international detention in 2020. The Colombian-born entrepreneur, whom U.S. authorities have characterized as Maduro’s “bag man,” could now potentially provide testimony against his former ally, who faces drug trafficking charges in Manhattan following his capture during a surprise U.S. military operation in January.
Venezuelan immigration officials released a brief statement Saturday without specifying Saab’s exact destination, noting the action was taken due to multiple active criminal cases in the United States. The statement’s description of Saab solely as a “Colombian citizen” appears to reference Venezuelan legal restrictions against extraditing Venezuelan nationals. During his previous detention, Maduro and acting President Delcy Rodríguez had argued that Saab held Venezuelan diplomatic status and was unlawfully seized during a fuel stop while traveling to Iran on humanitarian business.
The Associated Press previously reported that federal investigators have spent months examining Saab’s involvement in an alleged corruption scheme related to Venezuelan government food import contracts.
This probe connects to a 2021 Justice Department case targeting Saab’s business partner, Alvaro Pulido, according to a former law enforcement source. That Miami-based prosecution focuses on the CLAP program established by Maduro to distribute basic goods including rice, corn flour, and cooking oil to impoverished Venezuelans during a period of severe inflation and economic collapse.
The 54-year-old Saab built substantial wealth through Venezuelan government deals. However, he lost standing with the new administration that assumed control after Maduro’s removal. Since Rodríguez took leadership on January 3, she has reduced Saab’s influence, removing him from her Cabinet and ending his position as the primary liaison for foreign investors seeking Venezuelan opportunities. Reports have circulated for months suggesting he was either jailed or confined to his residence.
The Justice Department has not yet provided a response to requests for comment.
