Alex Saab Arrested, Signaling Strengthened US-Venezuela Cooperation

Colombian businessman Alex Saab has been arrested in a joint operation between the United States and Venezuela and is expected to be extradited to the U.S. He is described as Nicolás Maduro's alleged 'bag man' and court records reveal he previously aided the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in identifying corruption within the Maduro regime.

Venezuelan authorities confirmed that the case is related to a criminal investigation with the United States.

Alex Saab, a Colombian national who was detained on bribery charges in 2020, has been re-arrested less than three years after being pardoned and released in a prisoner exchange in 2023. Venezuela's immigration authorities confirmed he was being deported due to a U.S. criminal investigation. His apprehension signals strengthened cooperation between U.S. authorities and Venezuela's interim government.