Caracas, Venezuela – In a continuing shakeup of the Venezuelan government following the capture of key figures including Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores by U.S. Authorities on , Delcy Rodríguez, currently fulfilling temporary functions, has removed Camilla Fabri de Saab from her position as Deputy Minister for International Communication. The decision, announced on , comes amid increasing scrutiny of the network of influence built during Maduro’s tenure.
Rodríguez announced the appointment of Rander Peña to the role, stating, “I have designated Rander Peña as Deputy Minister for International Communication… I know that, with his experience and demonstrated abilities, he will bring the truth of Venezuela to the people.” She simultaneously expressed gratitude to Fabri de Saab “for her performance at the head of this Office,” according to a statement released by her office.
Fabri de Saab’s removal follows the earlier dismissal of Alex Saab, her husband, from his position as Minister of Industry and National Production in . Saab, a Colombian-born businessman who became a naturalized Venezuelan citizen, had held the post since . His dismissal, like his wife’s, is widely seen as a consequence of the shifting political landscape following the arrests of Maduro and Flores and the pressure from Washington for a democratic transition.
Saab’s return to Venezuela in followed a prisoner exchange with the United States, after having been detained in Cabo Verde in 2020 and extradited to the U.S. In . The Venezuelan government had consistently characterized his detention as a “kidnapping” and defended him as a “hero.” Fabri de Saab was a prominent voice in his defense during his arrest and subsequent legal battles.
Reports have emerged indicating Saab has been re-arrested in Venezuela, though these reports are contested by allies of the Chavista regime. While officials and supporters maintain he is at home, multiple sources report he is currently being held in El Helicoide prison. The conflicting accounts underscore the government’s apparent reluctance to acknowledge Saab’s detention.
Alex Saab’s business dealings with the Venezuelan government have been the subject of extensive investigation. He conducted businesses estimated at US$135 million with the Venezuelan government, even as other Colombian businessmen ceased exporting to the country due to concerns over payment uncertainty and strict exchange controls. His name has appeared in several international data leaks, including the Panama Papers, Pandora Papers, and the FinCEN Files.
Saab reportedly profited significantly from supplying materials for Venezuela’s housing program, allegedly receiving US$159 million between 2012 and 2013 for imports worth only US$3 million. He also secured contracts to supply food to Venezuela for over US$200 million, which was then resold at a 112% markup. Colombian authorities have previously investigated Saab for alleged money laundering between 2004 and 2011.
The recent changes within the Venezuelan government are occurring against a backdrop of intense pressure from the United States following the capture of Maduro and Flores. Both are facing narcotics trafficking charges in New York, with Maduro declaring himself a “prisoner of war.” The U.S. Is seeking a transition to democratic governance in Venezuela, and the removal of key Maduro allies like Saab and Fabri de Saab signals a potential shift in the country’s political direction.
The situation remains fluid, and the full implications of these developments are yet to be seen. The continued detention of Saab, if confirmed, and the removal of his wife from her post, represent a significant weakening of the Maduro-aligned faction within the Venezuelan government, and a potential opening for a new political order.
