Venezuelan Maduro Ally Money Man Extradited to the United States

Arrested in Africa, Sent to the US After 16 Months... 'Money Laundering Charges'
President Maduro Strongly Condemns US SABR Kidnapping and Torture

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] Alex Saab, known as a close aide to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, was handed over to the United States 16 months after being arrested in Africa.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to AP and Reuters on the 16th (local time), Saab, who was arrested in June last year in Cabo Verde, Africa, boarded a U.S. Department of Justice chartered plane and headed to the United States on the same day.

Saab is a figure pursued by the U.S. government on money laundering charges, alleging his involvement in corruption related to the Maduro regime's food aid program. He is also on the U.S. Treasury Department's sanctions list. The U.S. government believes he possesses significant knowledge about financial corruption within the Maduro regime.

The U.S. economic magazine Forbes recently described Saab as Venezuela's "money man," explaining, "From the U.S. perspective, Saab is the key to unraveling the financial mystery of whether Venezuela can continue to export gold and oil despite sanctions."

Saab’s transfer to the United States could be a major blow to the Maduro regime. The Maduro government has strongly protested, claiming Saab was arrested while on a diplomatic mission as a government envoy. Last month, President Maduro harshly accused the U.S. of kidnapping and torturing Saab.

Despite protests and efforts by the Venezuelan government to block the transfer, Saab’s extradition to the U.S. is expected to deepen the conflict between the United States and Venezuela.

Furthermore, AP reported that this development could disrupt the dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the opposition, which resumed in August.

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