Who is Colombian Alex Saab, former minister of industry of Venezuela, who was extradited to the US - for the second time | Close ally of Maduro | Venezuelan officials say he was deported, not extradited, due to alleged crimes in the US. He was previously released in a prisoner exchange in 2023. | Source: Večernji List (HR) | Date: 21.05.2026. 23:29 | Close ally of Maduro | Saab, a businessman born in Colombia, became close to the Venezuelan government in the final years of the presidency of the left-wing Hugo Chávez from 1999 to 2013, and then managed a wide network of imports for Maduro's administration | Former Venezuelan minister of industry Alex Saab, a close ally of ousted president Nicolás Maduro, was extradited to the United States on Saturday, May 16, Venezuelan officials said. | Saab thus returns to U.S. custody, after being released from it in 2023 in a prisoner exchange with Venezuela. | 'The deportation measure was taken considering the fact that the aforementioned Colombian citizen is involved in the commission of various crimes in the United States, which is publicly well-known and reported,' reads the statement of the Venezuelan immigration administration, which says they deported him, not extradited him. | Important notice | In accordance with Article 94 of the Electronic Media Act, commenting on articles on the web portal and mobile applications Vecernji.hr is only allowed for registered users. | Each user who wishes to comment on articles is obliged to first familiarize themselves with the Rules of commenting on the web portal and mobile applications Vecernji.hr and with the prohibitions prescribed by paragraph 2 of Article 94 of the Law. | Registration is required for commenting. | If you do not have a user account, choose one of the two offered methods and register in a few quick steps. | Don't miss | Do you want to report errors? | More from the category | Source: Večernji List (HR)

The return of Alex Saab to U.S. custody marks a significant development in the ongoing legal and political saga surrounding the Maduro regime. Saab, a businessman with Colombian roots, became a pivotal figure in Venezuela's economy, particularly during the later years of Hugo Chávez's presidency and under Nicolás Maduro. His alleged role in managing a vast import network for the Venezuelan administration has placed him at the center of U.S. sanctions and investigations.

Venezuelan officials have framed Saab's latest transfer to the U.S. as a "deportation" rather than an extradition, a semantic distinction that underscores the complex relationship between the two nations. This move comes after Saab was previously extracted from U.S. detention in a prisoner exchange in 2023, highlighting the fluid nature of his legal status and the high stakes involved in U.S.-Venezuela relations.

From the perspective of Večernji List, this event is not just a legal matter but also a reflection of the broader geopolitical tensions involving Venezuela. Saab's alleged crimes and his close ties to Maduro's government have made him a symbol of the economic challenges and international scrutiny faced by Venezuela. The U.S. views his presence as crucial for ongoing legal proceedings, while Venezuela's framing of the event suggests a narrative of external pressure and political maneuvering.

The circumstances of Saab's return to the U.S. raise questions about the effectiveness of previous diplomatic exchanges and the long-term implications for both Venezuelan leadership and U.S. foreign policy. The repeated involvement of Saab in high-level negotiations and legal battles underscores his importance as an alleged facilitator for the Venezuelan government amidst international sanctions.

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The deportation measure was taken considering the fact that the aforementioned Colombian citizen is involved in the commission of various crimes in the United States, which is publicly well-known and reported.