Colombian entrepreneur Alex Saab, who has served as the chief financial operator for the Chavista regime and later as a minister in Venezuela, entered a plea of not guilty to federal charges of money laundering and other financial offenses in a Miami court on Friday. This action marks the formal commencement of the latest criminal proceedings against him in the United States.
His attorneys submitted the plea during a brief hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lauren F. Louis in the Southern District of Florida. Saab, aged 54, did not attend in person. His legal team has requested a jury trial, and no trial date has been set, nor was the issue of bail discussed by the judge.
Federal prosecutors have charged Saab with conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, money laundering, and concealing the origins of illicit funds associated with the Venezuelan government. According to the Department of Justice, the scheme allegedly operated from October 2015 until at least January 2026, involving the payment of bribes to secure contracts from the CLAP program, Venezuela's state-run subsidized food distribution system. This reportedly involved shell companies, fraudulent invoices, and fake shipping records. Authorities estimate the scheme funneled around $350 million through the U.S. financial system. The conspiracy to launder money charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The Friday hearing was Saab's second appearance in a Miami federal court within a three-month period. His first appearance was on May 18, merely two days following his deportation from Venezuela to the United States on May 16. Upon arrival in Miami, he was transported to the Federal Detention Center after landing at Opa-locka Executive Airport, escorted by federal agents, including members of the DEA.
Saab's return to U.S. custody resulted from a series of events initiated on February 4, 2026, when he was apprehended in Venezuela in a joint operation by SEBIN and the FBI. The Venezuelan government, led by Delcy Rodríguez, deported him months later, asserting that Saab is a Colombian citizen who allegedly used fraudulent documents to obtain Venezuelan nationality.
Saab's legal journey has been extensive. He was detained in Cape Verde in June 2020 during a technical stopover of his plane and extradited to the United States in October 2021. After spending more than two years in custody in Miami, he was included in a prisoner swap by then-President Joe Biden with Venezuela in December 2023, in exchange for the release of 10 American citizens. He returned to Caracas, where he was hailed as a hero by Nicolás Maduro and appointed as the Minister of Industries and National Production. In March 2024, a Miami federal court dismissed all previous charges against him.
This chapter concluded following Maduro's capture by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026, and the subsequent collapse of his government. U.S. investigators have characterized Saab as a pivotal figure in networks that secured imports, financed government programs, and mobilized international resources during the years of sanctions imposed by Washington.
The Miami proceedings are separate from the drug trafficking case against Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in a New York federal court, where the judge has scheduled the trial to begin on June 1, 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alex Saab's Legal Battle
What are the charges against Alex Saab?
Alex Saab faces charges of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, money laundering, and concealing the origins of illicit funds linked to the Venezuelan government.
What is the potential sentence for Alex Saab if convicted?
If convicted of conspiracy to launder money, Alex Saab could face up to 20 years in prison.
When did Alex Saab first appear in Miami federal court?
Alex Saab first appeared in Miami federal court on May 18, shortly after being deported from Venezuela to the United States.