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Venezuela’s acting president announced the dismissal of Alex Saab, a businessman and close confidant of ousted leader Nicolas Maduro, from his position as Minister of Industry. Delcy Rodriguez shared via Telegram that the ministry would be merged with the Commerce Ministry and expressed gratitude to Saab—who was born in Colombia but has Venezuelan nationality—for his contributions, noting he will assume new responsibilities.
This move occurs amid increased pressure from the United States following the U.S.-led military operation on January 3 that resulted in Maduro’s removal. Saab, who was released in early 2023 after a prisoner swap with the U.S., was reinstated by Maduro to his ministerial role in 2024. Previously, he was detained in Cape Verde in 2020 due to an Interpol alert, facing allegations of laundering money for Maduro’s government. He was later extradited to the U.S., where both he and his partner, Alvaro Pulido, face charges of operating a scheme that exploited food aid meant for Venezuela.
Rodriguez’s recent government changes are among the latest made by her since the U.S. capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Meanwhile, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado declared that Venezuela is embarking on a “genuine transition” toward democracy, asserting that the U.S. and President Donald Trump support this effort.
Trump, however, has sidelined Machado and instead backed former Vice President Rodriguez as the interim leader, citing her alignment with U.S. interests regarding Venezuela’s significant oil reserves. Machado, claiming Maduro’s 2024 election was stolen—a claim supported by the U.S. and much of the international community—stated that Rodriguez is “taking orders” rather than acting independently.
Her comments followed a recent meeting between U.S. CIA Director John Ratcliffe and Rodriguez in Caracas. Ratcliffe’s visit was intended to “improve the working relationship” between the two nations, according to a U.S. official who spoke anonymously.
In a move indicating warming relations, a U.S. deportation flight bringing back 231 Venezuelans arrived in Caracas, the first scheduled since Maduro’s fall. Known for his firm immigration policies, Trump has carried out extensive raids and deportations during his term.
On Thursday, Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump in an effort to garner his support. She described the gesture as “very emotional.” It remains uncertain whether Trump accepted or kept the medal after their White House meeting, though the Nobel Committee has clarified awards cannot be transferred.
Trump previously campaigned on the claim that he had halted eight wars since taking office, a promise that did not materialize, and was ultimately awarded the Nobel Peace Prize—an honor Machado was nominated for. She also met with Trump recently, and the White House expressed optimism about their ongoing communication.
Rodriguez has maintained that her government will stand firm against U.S. pressure, emphasizing their readiness to confront Washington diplomatically and through political dialogue. She delivered Maduro’s state of the nation address while the leader remains detained in New York facing drug trafficking charges, contrasting with Machado’s support base among Venezuelans, who greeted her with enthusiasm in Washington.
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