Maduro ally pleads guilty in $195m money laundering case in US court

September 15, 2026

Alex Saab, a former Venezuelan official and close associate of ex-President Nicolás Maduro, has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in a Miami court and agreed to forfeit $195 million. The 54-year-old Colombian businessman was accused of embezzling funds from a Venezuelan welfare program designed to help hungry citizens and transferring proceeds to US bank accounts. This plea deal requires Saab's full cooperation with US prosecutors and comes as Maduro and his wife face separate criminal charges in New York following their dramatic military capture in Caracas.

Who is affected

Alex Saab (defendant who pleaded guilty)
Nicolás Maduro (former Venezuelan President facing trial)
Cilia Flores (Maduro's wife and former First Lady, facing trial)
The people of Venezuela (victims of alleged embezzlement from welfare programs)
Delcy Rodriguez (Venezuela's acting President)
US prosecutors and the FBI

What action is being taken

Saab is forfeiting $195 million
Saab is cooperating fully with US prosecutors
Maduro and Flores are facing trial next year in New York on weapon and drug charges

Why it matters

This case matters because it involves the alleged theft of funds from welfare programs intended to help Venezuelans during a severe food and medicine crisis caused by years of political and economic turmoil. The plea deal and cooperation agreement could have significant implications for the criminal case against former President Maduro and his wife, potentially providing crucial testimony from a close insider. It also demonstrates US efforts to hold accountable those who exploited American financial institutions for illicit activities and stole from vulnerable populations.

What's next

Saab could face up to 20 years in prison (sentencing pending)
Maduro and his wife face trial next year in New York
Speculation exists that Saab could testify against Maduro at trial

Read full article from source: BBC