Venezuela deported Colombian businessman Alex Saab to the United States on May 17, 2026, in a significant step of cooperation between the two countries. Saab, a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro, was handed over to US authorities at an undisclosed location.
Saab faces US federal charges of money laundering and corruption related to a bribery scheme involving Venezuelan government contracts. He was previously arrested in Cape Verde in 2020 and extradited to the US in 2021, but his case has been a point of contention between Washington and Caracas.
The deportation marks a shift in Venezuela's stance, as the Maduro government has previously refused to cooperate with US law enforcement. Analysts suggest this move could be part of broader negotiations between the two nations, possibly linked to sanctions relief or political dialogue.
US officials have not yet commented on the deportation, but sources indicate that Saab is expected to appear in a federal court in Miami in the coming days. The case has drawn international attention due to Saab's role as an intermediary for Maduro's government.
