Former Venezuelan official and close associate of ex-President Nicolás Maduro, Alex Saab, has admitted to money laundering charges in a United States court under a deal that requires him to surrender $195 million.
Saab, 54, entered the guilty plea on Tuesday in a Miami, Florida, court after previously indicating that he intended to contest the allegations. Under the agreement with US prosecutors, Saab is required to forfeit the money and provide full cooperation to investigators. The charges carry a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.
The case has attracted renewed attention because of Saab’s long association with Maduro, who, together with his wife and former First Lady Cilia Flores, is facing a separate criminal case in New York involving weapons and drug allegations. Both have denied the accusations.
Saab’s agreement with prosecutors has prompted speculation over whether he could eventually provide evidence in proceedings involving Maduro. However, the plea agreement does not expressly refer to the New York case.
One provision requires Saab to provide truthful information and prohibits him from shielding another person or concealing an identity through false statements or omissions.
US authorities accused Saab of using a Venezuelan social welfare programme as part of a scheme that involved diverting public funds and moving some of the money through US financial institutions. The allegations emerged against the backdrop of Venezuela’s prolonged economic and political crisis, which has contributed to severe shortages of essential goods, including food and medicine.
FBI Director Kash Patel said Saab had exploited both Venezuelan citizens and the US financial system for illicit purposes.
Saab’s latest case is not his first encounter with the US justice system. He was extradited to the United States in 2020 to face money laundering allegations after prosecutors accused him of moving about $350 million out of Venezuela.
His legal battle ended after then-US President Joe Biden granted him clemency in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange. Saab was later returned to the United States in May after being extradited by Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez.
His latest guilty plea now places the focus on the terms of his cooperation with US authorities and whether information he provides could have implications for other ongoing criminal proceedings.
