Alex Saab, a Colombian-Venezuelan businessman and close ally of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has pleaded guilty in a United States federal court to a money-laundering conspiracy linked to a bribery and fraud scheme involving Venezuela’s social welfare programme. Saab entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami, admitting that he helped organise a system of bribes to Venezuelan officials that enabled companies secretly controlled by him and his associates to secure government contracts. The contracts were connected to Venezuela’s CLAP programme

Alex Saab, a Colombian-Venezuelan businessman and close ally of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, has pleaded guilty in a United States federal court to a money-laundering conspiracy linked to a bribery and fraud scheme involving Venezuela’s social welfare programme. Saab entered his guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami, admitting that he helped organise a system of bribes to Venezuelan officials that enabled companies secretly controlled by him and his associates to secure government contracts. The contracts were connected to Venezuela’s CLAP programme, which was established to provide subsidised food to people during the country’s prolonged economic crisis. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Saab and his associates used fake companies, false invoices and fraudulent shipping documents to divert hundreds of millions of dollars intended for the programme. Prosecutors said the proceeds were subsequently moved through shell companies and accounts in several countries, including the United States. U.S. authorities also alleged that Saab used his connections with Venezuelan government officials to gain access to oil belonging to Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, and sell it through arrangements designed to conceal the transactions. As part of his plea agreement, Saab has agreed to forfeit $195 million in criminal proceeds and cooperate with ongoing federal investigations. The charge to which he pleaded guilty — conspiracy to launder monetary instruments — carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence at the lower end of the applicable range and could seek additional reductions if they determine that Saab provides substantial cooperation. A sentencing date has not yet been announced. The case represents another chapter in Saab’s long-running legal battle with U.S. authorities. He was arrested in Cape Verde in 2020 and later extradited to the United States to face charges. In December 2023, former U.S. President Joe Biden granted him clemency as part of a prisoner exchange involving Venezuela. A new indictment was later issued, and Saab was deported to the United States in May 2026 following political changes in Venezuela and pressure from Washington. U.S. prosecutors have described the case as an example of their efforts to pursue financial crimes involving politically connected individuals. The guilty plea now places Saab at the centre of a continuing U.S. investigation into alleged corruption, illicit financial transfers and the misuse of government programmes in Venezuela. His cooperation with prosecutors could provide additional information as authorities pursue other individuals or entities connected to the alleged scheme.

A little more informed. A little more connected.