Conflicting Reports on Arrest of Maduro Fixer Alex Saab in Venezuela

Venezuelan officials give evasive and contradictory statements about the detention of the former regime insider.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:07pm

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Alex Saab, a once-powerful fixer for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, was reportedly detained for questioning by Venezuelan authorities early Wednesday, according to multiple Colombian media outlets. However, Venezuelan officials have neither confirmed nor denied the reports, offering conflicting public responses about Saab's fate. Saab, a Colombia-born businessman, was previously held in Miami on money-laundering charges before being pardoned and released in a prisoner exchange with Venezuela in 2023. His reported detention comes weeks after Maduro was seized by U.S. forces on drug-trafficking charges.

Why it matters

Saab's reported detention is a significant development in the ongoing legal and political saga surrounding corruption cases linked to the Maduro regime. As a close ally of Maduro, Saab was accused of amassing hundreds of millions of dollars through bribery schemes and money laundering. His potential re-arrest raises questions about cooperation between Venezuela's interim government and U.S. law enforcement, as well as internal power struggles within the Maduro regime.

The details

According to Colombian media reports, Saab was detained by Venezuela's domestic intelligence service, SEBIN, in the early morning hours. However, Venezuelan officials have given evasive and contradictory statements about his whereabouts, with the president of the regime-controlled National Assembly and the attorney general both claiming to have no information on the matter. The circumstances surrounding Saab's reported detention remain unclear, including whether it reflects cooperation with U.S. authorities or an internal move by Caracas to sideline a politically sensitive figure.

  • Saab was previously held in Miami as the main defendant in a $350 million money-laundering conspiracy case that was dismissed in December 2023 after he was pardoned by then-President Joe Biden.
  • Saab was released from federal custody and returned to Venezuela following Biden's pardon.
  • Saab was removed as Venezuela's industry minister by Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president, three weeks prior to the reported detention.

The players

Alex Saab

A Colombia-born businessman who was a close ally and fixer for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, accused of amassing hundreds of millions of dollars through bribery schemes and money laundering.

Nicolás Maduro

The current president of Venezuela, who was seized by U.S. forces in early January on drug-trafficking charges filed in New York.

Delcy Rodríguez

The interim president of Venezuela, who removed Saab from his position as industry minister three weeks prior to the reported detention.

Jorge Rodríguez

The president of the regime-controlled National Assembly in Venezuela and the brother of interim President Delcy Rodríguez.

Tarek William Saab

The attorney general of Venezuela, who is not related to Alex Saab.

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What they’re saying

“I am a member of parliament; this is not within my purview, and I have neither the authority nor the information regarding what you are asking about.”

— Jorge Rodríguez, President of the regime-controlled National Assembly (Caracol Radio)

“fake news”

— Tarek William Saab, Attorney General of Venezuela (La FM)

“no information”

— Tarek William Saab, Attorney General of Venezuela (La FM)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Alex Saab out on bail.

The takeaway

Saab's reported detention highlights the ongoing power struggles and legal battles within the Maduro regime, as well as the complex web of corruption allegations and international cooperation that have surrounded the Venezuelan government for years. The conflicting statements from officials raise more questions than answers about Saab's fate and the potential implications for the broader political and legal landscape in Venezuela.