Maduro’s ‘front man’ is arrested in joint operation between Venezuela and the USA

Alex Saab alongside Nicolás Maduro in January 2024 Federico Parra/AFP Businessman Alex Saab, considered the “front man” of deposed dictator Nicolás Maduro, was arrested again in Venezuela this Wednesday (4), according to Reuters. The operation was conducted jointly by Venezuelan and North American authorities. ✅ Follow the g1 international news channel on WhatsApp A United States security agent stated that Saab should be extradited to the country in the coming days. According to him, the cooperation took place under the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez, who controls the Venezuelan security forces. Businessman Raúl Gorrín, owner of the Venezuelan TV network Globovisión and investigated in the United States for money laundering, was also arrested in the same operation. Saab had been detained for the first time in 2020, in Cape Verde, and spent more than three years in United States custody on bribery charges. He was released in 2023 after an agreement that involved the release of Americans imprisoned in Venezuela. See the videos that are trending on g1 Before the pardon, American authorities accused Saab of diverting around US$350 million from Venezuela through a scheme linked to state exchange control. He denied the accusations and claimed diplomatic immunity. Upon returning to Venezuela at the end of 2023, Saab was celebrated by Maduro as a national hero and appointed Minister of Industry. Last month, however, he was fired by interim president Delcy Rodríguez. This Wednesday’s operation took place amid pressure from the United States on Venezuela following Maduro’s capture on January 3. The deposed dictator remains imprisoned in a New York penitentiary and faces a series of crimes. Since then, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has taken over the Venezuelan government on an interim basis and has been approaching American authorities. Donald Trump has praised her work and stated that the Venezuelan is cooperating with the United States. MORE

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