Venezuela’s interim president fires minister considered Maduro’s ‘front man’

Alex Saab alongside Nicolás Maduro in January 2024 Federico Parra/AFP The interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, fired this Friday (16) businessman Alex Saab as Minister of Industry. Saab is accused of acting as a figurehead for deposed leader Nicolás Maduro. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp In a message on Telegram, Delcy announced that the ministry will be merged with the Commerce department and thanked Saab “for the services provided to the Homeland”. According to her, the businessman will take on new responsibilities. The change comes amid US pressure following the January 3 military operation that ousted Maduro. Saab, freed in 2023 in a prisoner exchange with the US, had been appointed to the post in 2024 by Maduro. See the videos that are trending on g1 Delcy assumed the presidency of Venezuela shortly after Maduro was removed from the country. According to United States President Donald Trump, she has cooperated with US authorities. The interim president has defended the resumption of dialogue with the USA, in a change of tone in relation to the historically tense rhetoric between the two countries. She said that, if she needs to travel to the United States, she will “walk on her own feet, not be dragged there”. Delcy also stated that he has a plan for 2026 and said that he intends to “forge a new policy in Venezuela”. In his speech, he praised several former members of the government. On Wednesday (14), Trump spoke with the Venezuelan president by phone. He said he covered several topics during the call, without detailing what was discussed. “We talk about a lot of things, and I think we are getting along very well with Venezuela,” he said. “And she’s an amazing person. I mean, she’s someone we’ve worked really well with.” MORE

Source link