Alex Saab fell out of favor with the new administration that took power since Maduro’s ouster and capture by US forces in January.
https://p.dw.com/p/5DrJMSaab is a close ally of former President Nicolas MaduroImage: Matias Delacroix/AP Photo/picture allianceAdvertisementVenezuela's government said Saturday it had deported former Industry Minister Alex Saab to the United States.
Saab is a close ally of former President Nicolas Maduro.
"The deportation measure was adopted in consideration of the fact that the aforementioned Colombian citizen is involved in the commission of various crimes in the United States of America, as is public, well-known and reported," the Venezuelan immigration administration said in a statement.
Venezuela's constitution doesn't allow the extradition of Venezuelan nationals.
In this case, the country's immigration authority determined that Saab was a Colombian national and ordered him "deported" to the United States.
The huge problem with Venezuela's oilTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The Colombia-born Saab managed a vast import network for Maduro's administration and built a fortune through government contracts.
He has been accused of acting as a frontman and money launderer for Maduro and his government. Maduro, in exchange, granted him Venezuelan citizenship and a diplomatic passport.
Saab was first arrested in Cape Verde in 2020 over allegations of money laundering and corruption. He was extradited to the United States the following year.
The 54-year-old and his business partner Alvaro Pulido were charged with running a network that exploited a subsidized food aid program for Venezuela known as CLAP.
The men were ultimately accused of laundering $350 million (€301 million) out of Venezuela.
A US judge later dismissed most charges against Saab. But he still faced one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carried a 20-year jail term.
However, in December 2023, Saab was released from US custody as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Venezuela.
Maduro appointed Saab to his Cabinet the following year.
Hopes and fears in Venezuela one month after Maduro captureTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
But Saab fell out of favor with the new administration that took power since Maduro's ouster and capture by the US military in January.
Interim President Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president, has fired Saab from the Cabinet and stripped him of all his posts.
His wife Camilla Fabri, who served as deputy minister for international communication, was also dismissed in February.
Saab's extradition to the US could deepen divisions inside Rodríguez's fragile ruling coalition in Caracas.
