CARACAS:&nbsp;Venezuela&#39;s interim president on Friday dismissed businessman Alex Saab, accused of working as a front man for deposed leader Nicolas Maduro, from his post as minister of industry. In a Telegram message, Delcy Rodriguez announced the ministry would be combined with a commerce ministry and thanked Saab -- a Colombian-born Venezuelan &ndash; &ldquo;for his service to the Homeland; he will be taking on new responsibilities.&rdquo; Pressure from Washington&nbsp;The change comes amid <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/us-plans-for-venezuelan-oil-postmaduro-ouster" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">pressure from Washington</a> following the Jan. 3 US military raid that ousted Maduro. Saab, released in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States, was appointed to office in 2024 by Maduro. A confidant of then-president Maduro, Saab was arrested during a 2020 refueling stopover in Cape Verde due to an Interpol notice over accusations he had served as a money launderer for the socialist leader. He was extradited to the United States, where he and his business partner, Alvaro Pulido, were charged with running a network that exploited food aid destined for Venezuela. Hero&rsquo;s welcome&nbsp;Upon his release, Saab was given a hero&#39;s welcome in Caracas.&nbsp; He assumed office as minister of industry in Oct. 2024. Saab&#39;s dismissal is among the latest key changes to Venezuela&#39;s government by Rodriguez since the US <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/deposed-venezuelan-leader-pleads-not-guilty-in-us-court" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">capture of Maduro</a> and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Americas

Change comes amid pressure from Washington following the Jan. 3 US military raid that ousted Maduro; Saab, released in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange with the US, was appointed to office in 2024 by Maduro.

Articles tagged with "Alex Saab"

Venezuela interim leader sacks industry minister, a Maduro ally