Venezuela says it deported Alex Saab, a key Maduro ally, to the U.S.
Venezuela has deported Alex Saab, a close ally of former President Nicolás Maduro, to the United States to face legal proceedings. This marks a reversal from 2023 when Saab was pardoned by President Joe Biden and returned to Venezuela as part of a prisoner swap. Saab, once a powerful figure in Venezuela's government contracts, may now cooperate with U.S. authorities in ongoing investigations.
- ▪Alex Saab was deported by Venezuela to the U.S. to face judicial proceedings, according to Venezuelan immigration authorities.
- ▪Saab had previously been pardoned by President Joe Biden in 2023 and returned to Venezuela after being detained in 2020.
- ▪U.S. prosecutors are investigating Saab's role in a bribery conspiracy tied to Venezuela's CLAP food import program.
- ▪Saab lost favor with Venezuela's new leadership after Maduro's ouster and was removed from his government roles by acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
- ▪Venezuela referred to Saab as a 'Colombian citizen' in its statement, possibly to comply with laws prohibiting the extradition of nationals.
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U.S. Venezuela says it deported Alex Saab, a key Maduro ally, to face legal proceedings in the U.S. May 16, 2026 / 7:48 PM EDT / AP Add CBS News on Google Venezuela's government said Saturday it deported a close ally of Nicolás Maduro to face judicial proceedings in the U.S. less than three years after the business owner was pardoned by President Joe Biden as part of a prisoner swap.The decision marks a stark reversal for Alex Saab, who Maduro fought tooth and nail to bring home after his previous international arrest in 2020. Now, the Colombian-born business owner, long described by U.S. officials as Maduro's "bag man," may be asked to testify against his former protector, who is awaiting trial on drug charges in Manhattan after being captured in a shock raid by the U.S.
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