Venezuela Raids Arrest Key Maduro Aide Alex Saab in Joint US-Venezuelan Operation

Venezuelan official Alex Saab, once a close ally of President Nicolas Maduro who had been jailed in the United States for over three years on bribery charges, was arrested in Venezuela during a joint operation between US and Venezuelan authorities. The arrest came as a surprise to many, with Colombian newspaper El Espectador denying it as “fake news,” while some journalists aligned with the government’s media outlets also dismissed the allegations.

Lawyer Luigi Giuliano for Saab added that his client might make an appearance to confirm this himself but was consulting with the government about what had happened. Venezuelan top lawmaker Jorge Rodriguez did not deny or confirm these reports in a press conference, stating it was outside his purview and he lacked information on the matter.

Saab, 54 years old at the time of the arrest, is expected to be extradited to the United States shortly. This development marks a significant diplomatic move under interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s government following the recent capture of Maduro by US forces in Caracas. The collaboration between US and Venezuelan law enforcement agencies highlights the new levels of cooperation during Rodriguez’s tenure.

Saab had previously been granted clemency in exchange for the release of Americans held in Venezuela. Prior to his 2023 pardon, he was accused of diverting around $350 million out of Venezuela through the United States as part of a bribery scheme linked to Venezuela’s state-controlled exchange rate. Saab denied these charges and appealed for diplomatic immunity.

Following this arrest, Raul Gorrin, head of Venezuela’s Globovision TV network, was also apprehended in the same operation. The communications ministry did not respond to requests for comment on these arrests.