U.S. and Venezuelan Authorities Report Joint Operation Leading to Arrest of Maduro Confidant Alex Saab

In a development highlighting evolving dynamics between Washington and Caracas, Venezuelan official Alex Saab was reportedly taken into custody on Wednesday in a joint operation involving U.S. and Venezuelan authorities, according to a senior U.S. law enforcement official.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that Saab—a 54-year-old former businessman and close ally of detained former President Nicolás Maduro—was apprehended in Venezuela and is slated for extradition to the United States in the coming days.

However, the report was immediately contested by Saab's defense. His attorney, Luigi Giuliano, was quoted in Colombian media dismissing the news as "completely false," while pro-government journalists in Venezuela took to social media to deny the arrest occurred.

Giuliano further suggested to Venezuelan outlet TalCual that his client might publicly address the allegations after consulting with government officials, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.

The arrest, if confirmed, would mark a significant moment in the fraught relationship between the two nations. It follows the recent U.S.-backed operation that led to Maduro's capture and the subsequent takeover of the government by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice president, who now oversees the country's security apparatus.

During a press briefing, Venezuela's top legislator, Jorge Rodríguez, declined to confirm or deny the operation, stating he lacked specific information. The U.S. official emphasized the critical role of cooperation from the Rodríguez administration in facilitating the joint action.

The operation also reportedly led to the arrest of Raul Gorrin, head of the Venezuelan television network Globovision.

Saab's legal troubles with the U.S. are long-standing. He was initially detained in Cape Verde in 2020 and spent over three years in U.S. custody on charges of orchestrating a massive bribery scheme allegedly involving $350 million diverted from Venezuela through its state-controlled currency exchange. He was granted clemency late last year in a prisoner swap that secured the release of American detainees in Venezuela.

Upon his return to Caracas, Maduro hailed Saab as a "hero of the revolution" and appointed him industry minister—a position he held until last month when he was removed by the interim government.

Reaction and Analysis: The reported arrest points to a pragmatic, if uneasy, collaboration between the U.S. and the interim Venezuelan government under Delcy Rodríguez. Analysts suggest this could be part of a broader strategy by Rodríguez to consolidate power and gain international leverage by distancing her administration from figures associated with Maduro's alleged corruption. The conflicting narratives from officials and Saab's lawyer, however, underscore the deeply polarized and volatile nature of Venezuelan politics.

Voices from Readers:

"Maria G., Political Science Professor, Caracas: This is a calculated move by the interim government. Collaborating on Saab's arrest allows Rodríguez to demonstrate a break from the past to international observers while dealing with a powerful internal figure. The real test will be whether this cooperation extends beyond high-profile symbols to meaningful institutional reform."

"David K., Former Diplomat, Washington D.C.: A necessary step for accountability. Saab has long been a symbol of the corruption that crippled Venezuela. This joint action, if true, is a positive signal that the new authorities in Caracas are willing to work within a framework of law, even if the motivations are complex."

"Carlos R., Commentator, Miami: This is an absolute disgrace and a betrayal! The U.S. is now in bed with another faction of the same corrupt regime. Rodríguez is not a reformer; she's just cleaning house to install her own circle. This theater changes nothing for the Venezuelan people suffering under socialism."

"Anya P., Latin America Analyst, London: The immediate denial from Saab's camp is telling. It reveals the fragile balance of power within Venezuela. This event is less about U.S.-Venezuela relations and more about internal Venezuelan power struggles, with the U.S. becoming an active player in those dynamics."

Reporting by Reuters with additional analysis and background.