Venezuela deports Maduro ally Alex Saab to the US

Venezuela has deported Alex Saab, a close ally of former President Nicolás Maduro, to the United States to face criminal proceedings. Saab, often described as Maduro's 'bag man,' was previously extradited to the US after being arrested in Cape Verde in 2020 on money laundering charges. He had also reached a plea deal in Italy with his wife, Camilla Fabri, for similar offenses.

The deportation marks a dramatic shift in Venezuela's stance, as the government had previously resisted US extradition requests. Saab is accused of laundering money through the US financial system while acting as a key financial intermediary for Maduro's administration. The move could have implications for US-Venezuela relations and ongoing investigations into corruption linked to the Maduro government.