In a statement issued by Venezuelan immigration authorities (Saime), it was reported that citizen of Colombian nationality Alex Naim Saab Moran has been expelled from the country on May 16, 2026. This decision was made based on his involvement in various crimes in the United States, as widely reported in the media.
Alex Saab had close ties to the Venezuelan government during the final years of Hugo Chávez’s presidency (1999-2013) and was involved in managing a large network of imports for Nicolás Maduro’s government. He was seen as a power broker, especially as the country faced international sanctions and allegations of corruption within the subsidized food program known as “Clap.”
While the extradition of a Venezuelan citizen is prohibited by the Constitution, authorities considered Saab to be Colombian and proceeded with his “expulsion” to the United States, where he was wanted.
Alex Saab was arrested during a layover in Cape Verde in 2020 and extradited to the United States in 2021 for allegations of misappropriating food aid and money laundering for the benefit of Nicolas Maduro. In December 2023, he was exchanged for ten Americans imprisoned in Venezuela. This move was hailed as a “triumph” by Maduro, who was subsequently captured by the US military in Caracas on January 3.
In February, media reports indicated that Saab was arrested at the FBI’s request. Upon his return, he was welcomed warmly and appointed as a minister. However, Delcy Rodríguez, former vice president of Nicolas Maduro, took over after his capture, removing Saab and his Italian wife, Camila Fabri, from their positions. Several associates of Maduro were also sidelined under pressure from Washington, with Rodriguez introducing reforms such as an amnesty law for political prisoners and restructuring the oil sector to allow private investment.
