Alex Saab, a Colombian-Venezuelan businessman long associated with former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, was reportedly detained in Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, this week in an operation involving Venezuelan security forces and U.S. authorities. The alleged capture marks a dramatic turn for a controversial political actor whose international legal saga has spanned years.
Reported Detention Amid Joint Security Effort
According to multiple international outlets, Saab was taken into custody in the early hours of the operation at an upscale Caracas residence, where another well-known Venezuelan businessman, Raúl Gorrín, was also reportedly apprehended. While neither the Venezuelan government nor Saab’s legal team has confirmed the detention, a U.S. official told Reuters that Saab was detained in coordination with Venezuelan intelligence and could be handed over to U.S. authorities soon.
Complex Legal and Political Background
Saab’s name has been at the centre of legal disputes and diplomatic negotiations for years. Previously arrested in 2020 in Cape Verde and extradited to the United States on allegations of money laundering, he was later released in a high-profile prisoner swap. After returning to Venezuela, Saab held government posts before being removed earlier this year as the nation’s political leadership shifted under interim President Delcy Rodríguez.
Conflicting Accounts and Future Moves
Despite widespread reporting of the detention, Saab’s lawyer has publicly denied that the businessman has been arrested. Pro-government media and officials have similarly questioned the veracity of the claims. Still, if the reported detention is verified, it could signal deepening cooperation between U.S. and Venezuelan law enforcement on complex financial and corruption cases tied to Venezuela’s political elite.
