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7mo ago

Venezuela Detains Alex Saab in Joint Operation, Extradition to U.S. Expected

U.S. prosecutors accuse the Maduro confidant of sweeping corruption tied to the CLAP food program.

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Overview

  • SEBIN arrested Saab in Caracas on Feb. 4 in an operation reported to include U.S. agents, and Reuters says he is expected to be extradited to the United States.
  • American authorities allege he diverted about $350 million through CLAP-linked deals by bribing officials and using falsified import documents.
  • O Globo reports media executive Raúl Gorrín was also detained during the operation.
  • Saab previously was arrested in Cabo Verde in 2020, extradited to the United States, held for more than three years, and freed in a 2023 prisoner swap.
  • He returned to Venezuela, became industry minister, and was dismissed last month by interim president Delcy Rodríguez as Caracas engages more closely with Washington after Maduro’s capture.