Official announcements from the U.S. Department of Treasury or credible news outlets

Maduro Appoints Alex Saab, Ex-U.S. Prisoner Accused of Money Laundering, as Industry Minister

Oct 18, 2024, 06:29 PM

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has appointed Alex Saab, a Colombian businessman previously accused of money laundering by the U.S., as the new Minister of Industries. Saab, who was recently released from U.S. custody in a prisoner swap by the Biden-Harris administration, is notorious for making significant profits by importing substandard food for the Venezuelan government to distribute to low-income families. He succeeds Pedro Tellechea in this ministerial role. Saab's appointment has sparked controversy due to his past legal issues and his close ties to Maduro.