On Wednesday, Reuters verified that Alex Saab, a Colombian-Venezuelan businessman and high-ranking official within the Chavista administration, was apprehended in Venezuela. This arrest was part of a collaborative operation between the United States and Venezuelan authorities, according to a U.S. official.
"Venezuelan official Alex Saab, formerly a Colombian-Venezuelan entrepreneur previously detained in the United States, was taken into custody on Wednesday during a joint operation involving U.S. and Venezuelan authorities," the press agency reported.
Meanwhile, Caracol Radio confirmed through U.S. intelligence sources that Saab, known as Nicolás Maduro's front man, was captured during a joint operation between Venezuelan forces and the FBI around 2:00 a.m.
According to the Colombian outlet, Saab was arrested on Venezuelan soil and is currently held by the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN) while his extradition to the United States is under consideration.
Caracol Radio also reported that Raúl Gorrín Belisario, a Venezuelan businessman and owner of the Globovisión network, was detained in the same operation. Gorrín is also alleged to be a front man for Maduro and has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Born in Barranquilla in 1971, Alex Saab was initially detained in Cape Verde in 2020 and extradited to the United States, where he faced charges of conspiracy and money laundering.
In 2023, he received a presidential pardon and subsequently joined the Chavista cabinet as the Minister of Industry and National Production.
This recent arrest of Saab marks a significant shift in the cooperation between Washington and Caracas following Nicolás Maduro's downfall and the onset of Delcy Rodríguez's interim government.
Key Details on the Alex Saab Arrest
Who is Alex Saab?
Alex Saab is a Colombian-Venezuelan businessman known for his close ties to the Chavista regime and his role as a front man for Nicolás Maduro. He has faced charges of conspiracy and money laundering.
What led to Alex Saab's recent arrest?
Saab's arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between U.S. and Venezuelan authorities and represents a shift in diplomatic relations following the fall of Nicolás Maduro.
What are the implications of this arrest for U.S.-Venezuelan relations?
The arrest highlights a new phase of collaboration between the U.S. and Venezuela, potentially paving the way for further diplomatic engagement following changes in leadership in Venezuela.