Venezuela Interim Leader Sacks Minister Over Maduro Links
The change comes amid pressure from Washington following the January 3 US military raid that ousted Maduro.
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2026-01-17 02:52 GMT
Venezuela'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 -- "for his service to the Homeland; he will be taking on new responsibilities."
The change comes amid pressure from Washington following the January 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.