In a significant political development, Tarek William Saab, the Attorney General of Venezuela, tendered his resignation on Wednesday. This announcement was made in the National Assembly, where the communication from Saab was read aloud by Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the parliament, during a regular session.
On the same day, the resignation of the Ombudsman, Alfredo Ruiz, was also announced. The legislative body swiftly activated the constitutional mechanism to commence the process of selecting new appointees for these pivotal roles.
Following the unexpected resignations, the National Assembly convened to establish a Nominations Committee. This committee's task is to evaluate candidates and determine nominations to fill the vacant positions within the Citizen Power branch.
During the interim period, the parliament noted that the Deputy Attorney General should temporarily assume the duties of the Attorney General. However, the document provided revealed that there is no Deputy Attorney General currently in place to take over on a provisional basis. Consequently, an “acting” official is expected to be appointed while the committee is formally activated and the selection process advances.
Both Saab and Ruiz had their positions confirmed in October 2024, with a term set to last until 2031. Saab initially assumed the role of Attorney General in 2017, appointed by the Constituent National Assembly under the administration of Nicolás Maduro.
In recent statements, the former Attorney General described the Amnesty Law passed by the parliament as marking the end of "an important historical cycle" in Venezuela. Furthermore, Saab hinted at potential engagements with the United States Department of Justice following the normalization of diplomatic relations and visits by U.S. officials.
When questioned on the program El Pulso about a possible rapprochement between the prosecutorial bodies of both countries, he responded, "I imagine that will have to happen."
Understanding the Resignations of Venezuela's Key Officials
What prompted Tarek William Saab's resignation?
The specific reasons behind Tarek William Saab's resignation were not disclosed in the announcement made at the National Assembly.
Who will temporarily fulfill the Attorney General's responsibilities?
While the Deputy Attorney General should ideally step in, the position is currently unfilled, necessitating the appointment of an acting official during the selection process.
How long were Saab and Ruiz supposed to serve?
Both officials were ratified in October 2024 for a seven-year term, intended to last until 2031.