Venezuela says it deported close ally of Maduro to face criminal proceedings in U.S.
Venezuela has deported Alex Saab, a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro, to face criminal charges in the United States. Saab, who was previously pardoned by President Biden, is under investigation for his role in a bribery conspiracy related to government contracts. His extradition may create further divisions within Maduro's ruling coalition as they navigate U.S. demands and internal pressures.
- ▪Alex Saab was deported from Venezuela to the U.S. to face criminal investigations.
- ▪He was previously pardoned by President Biden as part of a prisoner swap.
- ▪Saab is implicated in a bribery conspiracy involving Venezuelan government contracts for food imports.
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Venezuela's government said on Saturday (May 16, 2026) it deported a close ally of Nicolas Maduro facing several criminal investigations in the U.S., less than three years after the businessman was pardoned by President Joe Biden as part of a prisoner swap.The decision marks a stark reversal for Alex Saab, who Mr. Maduro fought tooth and nail to bring home after his previous international arrest in 2020. Now, the Colombian-born insider, long described by U.S. officials as Mr. 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. military in January. Maduro ally extradited to U.S.
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