Venezuela Arrests Close Maduro Ally Saab as Joint US-Venezuelan Operation Begins

World

Venezuelan official Alex Saab arrested in operation with U.S. authorities

Colombian-born Saab, a former businessman once held in the US, was detained in Venezuela on Wednesday as part of joint efforts between U.S. and Venezuelan authorities, according to a US law enforcement official.

Saab, who was previously held in the United States for over three years on bribery charges and granted clemency in exchange for the release of Americans held in Venezuela, has been a close ally of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

The arrest occurred after Saab had been detained in Cape Verde in 2020. He later returned to Venezuela at the end of 2023 with widespread support from Maduro and was appointed as industry minister until recently by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who has a history of collaboration with U.S. authorities.

Saab’s return came just one month after former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro himself was captured by US forces in Caracas. The arrest represents a significant development under the government of current interim leader Delcy Rodriguez, who controls Venezuela’s law enforcement agencies.

The operation also saw Raul Gorrin, head of Venezuela’s Globovision TV network, arrested, though lawyers for Gorrin have yet to respond.

U.S. officials declined to comment on the arrests.