Alex Saab pleads not guilty to money laundering charges in Miami

Colombian businessman and former Venezuelan minister Alex Saab has pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering and conspiracy to commit financial transactions. The plea was entered by his legal team during a court hearing in Miami, which Saab himself did not attend. U.S. authorities have identified Saab as a key figure, allegedly acting as a financial intermediary or "frontman" for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The indictment formally charges Saab with money laundering and conspiracy, along with concealing and disguising the source of funds. His lawyers requested a jury trial during the brief hearing before federal Judge Lauren F. Louis. No new court date was set, and discussions regarding potential bail were not held.

Saab, 54, was previously extradited to the United States from Cabo Verde in 2020. He had faced earlier money laundering charges in the U.S. before securing his release in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange facilitated by the Biden administration. Following his release, he returned to Venezuela, where he was appointed Minister of Industries and National Production. His subsequent deportation to the U.S. occurred after a U.S. operation on January 3rd, which also led to the capture of Maduro, who is currently facing drug trafficking charges in New York.