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Venezuela Deports Alex Saab, Faces Money-Laundering Charge

5/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Alex Saab was deported by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez after a 2023 presidential pardon and was charged in a Miami federal court.
In the courtroom, Saab faced a single count of money laundering.
U.S. officials called Saab President Nicolás Maduro’s “bag man” and said he could testify in Maduro’s Manhattan drug-trafficking case.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said Saab is not a Venezuelan citizen, calling his ID card fraudulent.

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Story summary

Alex Saab was deported by Acting President Delcy Rodríguez after a 2023 presidential pardon and was charged in a Miami federal court.
In the courtroom, Saab faced a single count of money laundering.
U.S. officials called Saab President Nicolás Maduro’s “bag man” and said he could testify in Maduro’s Manhattan drug-trafficking case.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said Saab is not a Venezuelan citizen, calling his ID card fraudulent.