Alex Saab to face money laundering charges in the US after being deported from Venezuela
Alex Saab, identified as Nicolás Maduro's frontman, faces money laundering charges in Miami and will remain detained without bail.
TL;DR
- Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman and former Venezuelan minister, is facing money laundering and conspiracy charges in Miami.
- He was deported from Venezuela to the United States on May 18th.
- U.S. prosecutors allege Saab used U.S. banks to launder hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from Venezuelan programs, including a food assistance program for the poor and from illegal oil sales.
- Authorities claim Saab used shell companies, fraudulent invoices, and falsified shipping records to divert funds and bribe Venezuelan officials.
- The alleged conspiracy occurred between 2019 and January 2026, amidst U.S. sanctions on Venezuela.
- Saab will remain in detention without bail until June 24th.
- If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
- Saab had previously faced money laundering charges in Miami after being extradited from Cabo Verde in 2021, but was released in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange.
- He subsequently returned to Venezuela and was appointed Minister of National Industries and Production.
- His deportation follows cooperation between Washington and Caracas.