Venezuela Deports Maduro Ally Saab to Face U.S. Trial

Venezuela says it has deported Alex Saab, a longtime Maduro ally and former conduit for government contracts who was pardoned by Biden in a prisoner swap, to face U.S. judicial proceedings. The move comes as U.S. prosecutors investigate a bribery scheme tied to the CLAP food program and Saab could be called to testify against Maduro, who is awaiting trial on drug charges in Manhattan after a January U.S. raid. The Venezuelan immigration authority did not specify where Saab was sent, noting him as a Colombian citizen, amid conflicting reports about his status since his 2020 arrest.