The businessman Alex Saab, long accused of being a frontman for Nicolás Maduro, was taken into custody in Venezuela early Wednesday morning.
According to reports from Caracol Radio, citing U.S. intelligence sources, the arrest occurred around 2:00 a.m. It was the result of a joint operation between Venezuela's National Bolivarian Intelligence Service (SEBIN) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as part of an extradition cooperation process to the United States.
Reuters also confirmed Saab's arrest, describing it as a "joint operation between the U.S. and Venezuela," based on information from a U.S. security official. Saab remains detained by SEBIN, awaiting further legal proceedings after being recently dismissed by Delcy Rodríguez.
Alongside Saab, Raúl Gorrín Belisario, a Venezuelan businessman and owner of the Globovisión channel, was also apprehended. Gorrín has been accused of acting as a financial figurehead for the regime and has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for paying multi-million dollar bribes to regime officials.
These arrests are reportedly part of a judicial collaboration agreement between the governments of Caracas and Washington.
Background on Alex Saab
Born in Barranquilla on December 21, 1971, Alex Nain Saab Morán, of Lebanese descent, established a business network with the Chavismo regime in the early 2000s, primarily through the CLAP food program, which has been criticized for diverting public funds.
In 2018, he was appointed as a "special envoy of Venezuela" for diplomatic and humanitarian efforts, a status that Caracas has previously used to claim his immunity.
Saab was initially detained in Cape Verde in 2020 and extradited to the U.S. in 2021, facing charges of conspiracy to launder money and being part of an international corruption network funneling hundreds of millions of dollars from Venezuelan state contracts.
Legal Developments and Political Implications
In December 2023, Saab was released following a pardon by President Joe Biden as part of a prisoner exchange with the Maduro government. Subsequently, in March 2024, a federal court in Miami dismissed all charges against him.
Upon his return to Caracas, Saab was celebrated by the regime and assumed the role of Minister of Industries and National Production in October 2024, only to be removed following Nicolás Maduro's capture last month. Since then, he had maintained a low profile, though Chavismo insiders viewed him as a crucial figure due to his financial expertise related to the Venezuelan government.
This latest arrest marks an unexpected shift in U.S.-Venezuela relations, which had shown signs of rapprochement following the power transition in Venezuela. If his extradition is confirmed, it would be Saab's second judicial process in the U.S., under a vastly different political landscape, with potential ramifications for future corruption probes within the Chavismo regime.
Caracol Radio reported that arrangements for Saab's transfer to the United States are underway and could be finalized shortly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alex Saab's Arrest
Who is Alex Saab?
Alex Saab is a businessman of Lebanese origin, known for his close ties to the Venezuelan regime, particularly through the CLAP food program. He has been accused of money laundering and corruption.
What are the charges against Alex Saab?
Saab has been charged with conspiracy to launder money and participating in a network that funneled millions of dollars from Venezuelan state contracts.
How could Alex Saab's arrest impact U.S.-Venezuela relations?
His arrest could signal a shift in diplomatic relations, as it comes amid a period of potential rapprochement between the two countries. It also opens the door for further investigations into corruption within the Chavismo regime.