Alex Saab: Ex-Venezuelan Official Rearrested – US-Venezuela Collaboration

Washington, D.C. – A dramatic turn of events has unfolded in Venezuela, with reports emerging of the arrest of Alex Saab, a former minister and close ally of Nicolás Maduro, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The arrest, reportedly a joint operation between U.S. And Venezuelan authorities, comes less than a year after Saab’s return to Venezuela following a period of detention and subsequent clemency granted by the U.S. In exchange for the release of American citizens held in Venezuela.

Saab, a Colombian-born businessman who served as Venezuela’s Minister of Industry and National Production from October 2024 to January 2026, was initially detained in Cape Verde in 2020 and subsequently held in the United States on bribery charges. These charges centered around allegations of siphoning approximately $350 million out of Venezuela through the U.S. As part of a scheme linked to the country’s state-controlled exchange rate. Saab consistently denied these charges and had appealed for their dismissal on grounds of diplomatic immunity, a ruling that was pending at the time of his release in 2023.

However, the claim of Saab’s arrest is contested. Luigi Giuliano, Saab’s lawyer, has vehemently denied the reports, stating, “It is simply not true that he has been arrested,” and adding that Notice no charges currently filed against his client. Giuliano indicated that Saab intends to seek clarification from the president. These denials are echoed by journalists aligned with the Venezuelan government, who have also refuted the reports via social media.

Venezuela’s parliament president, Jorge Rodriguez, offered no definitive confirmation or denial during an evening press conference, stating the matter fell outside his purview and that he possessed no information regarding a potential arrest. This lack of clarity from official Venezuelan sources adds to the complexity of the situation.

Adding to the unfolding events, a U.S. Law enforcement official has also reported the arrest of Raul Gorrin, the head of Venezuela’s Globovision TV network, in the same operation. Attempts to reach lawyers for Gorrin and Globovision for comment have been unsuccessful, with no immediate response to calls and emails.

The timing of these arrests is particularly noteworthy, occurring just a month after reports of Nicolás Maduro himself being captured by U.S. Special forces in Caracas. This suggests a potential shift towards increased collaboration between U.S. And Venezuelan law enforcement under the leadership of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s former deputy, who now controls Venezuela’s law enforcement agencies.

Saab’s return to Venezuela in 2023 was met with significant fanfare, with Maduro praising his loyalty to the country’s socialist revolution and celebrating him as a national hero. He was subsequently appointed as industry minister, a position he held until last month when he was removed by Rodriguez. This recent removal may have foreshadowed the current developments.

Prior to his clemency, investigations revealed Saab’s extensive business dealings with the Venezuelan government. Armando.Info, a Venezuelan investigative journalism outlet, reported that Saab received US$159 million from the Venezuelan government between 2012 and 2013 to import housing materials, but only delivered products worth US$3 million. He also secured contracts worth over US$200 million to supply food to Venezuela, which was then resold at a markup of 112% over the original price.

Saab’s name has surfaced in several international investigations, including the Panama Papers, Pandora Papers, and the FinCEN Files, indicating a complex web of financial transactions. Colombian authorities have also investigated Saab for alleged money laundering activities between 2004 and 2011, involving approximately US$25 million.

The U.S. Justice Department and White House have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these latest developments. The situation remains fluid, and further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. The potential extradition of Saab to the United States, as indicated by the U.S. Law enforcement official, would represent a significant escalation in the ongoing legal and political saga surrounding the former Venezuelan minister and his alleged financial dealings.