Venezuela’s interim president dismisses Alex Saab as industry minister

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In a reorganization that combines the industry portfolio with the commerce ministry, the interim president of Venezuela ousted businessman Alex Saab from his post as minister of industry.

In a Telegram message on Friday, Delcy Rodríguez announced Saab’s removal, thanking him for his achievements and stating that the ministry would be merged with the trade ministry.

She said that after the shift, Saab, a Venezuelan who was born in Colombia, will take on new duties.

Following the US military intervention on January 3 that resulted in the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro, the United States has been putting increasing pressure on the country.

Since taking over as interim leader, Rodriguez has made a number of changes to the cabinet.

Saab was named minister of industry by Maduro in 2024 after being freed in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States.

Saab, a close friend of the overthrown leader, was previously detained in 2020 while refueling in Cape Verde on suspicion of serving as Maduro’s front man, according to an Interpol notification.

After that, he was deported to the US, where he and a business associate were accused of running a network that allegedly took advantage of food supplies meant for Venezuela.

Following his release, Saab went back to Venezuela and was greeted in Caracas. In October 2024, he assumed his ministerial position.

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