Introduction to Alex Saab and His Connections
Alex Saab rapidly ascended to power in Venezuela, entrusted by the Bolivarian Revolution with crucial tasks such as feeding the Venezuelan people, constructing affordable housing, sourcing fuel and medicine, and selling gold bars. The United States estimates that Saab’s profits from these government-backed deals exceed $1 billion.
Early Connections and Relationships
In October 2010, Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba (who passed away in 2024) met with Nicolás Maduro, who was then the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Caracas. Córdoba expressed her concerns about security in Colombia, believing President Álvaro Uribe wanted to harm her due to her close ties with the FARC.
Córdoba introduced Saab to Maduro, who reportedly said, “This woman needs protection because she will be the next president of Colombia.” Saab and his wife, Camillia Fabri, had a close relationship with Córdoba. On one occasion, Córdoba visited Saab’s Paris apartment, and Fabri lent her credit card for shopping.
The Rise of Alex Saab and Allegations of Corruption
According to the United States, Alex Saab embodies Venezuelan corruption. He allegedly transported gold bars to Turkey, acted as an intermediary with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supplied substandard milk to malnourished children, and created ghost companies. Saab, a socialite married to an Italian model, frequented upscale restaurants in Paris and Moscow.
Marshall Billingslea, a high-ranking Treasury Department official appointed by Donald Trump, became fixated on Saab. Billingslea was intrigued by Maduro’s political maneuvering around the CLAP (Committees for Local Supply and Production) boxes, which the government used as electoral merchandise.
Saab’s Business Ventures and Legal Troubles
In July 1995, Saab registered the Saab Company Inc. in Florida to internationalize his family’s towel business in Barranquilla. He opened an office in Brickell. When attempting to renew his turist visa at the Bogotá consulate in 1997, the US embassy invalidated Saab’s and his wife’s visas due to suspicions of drug trafficking and money laundering.
Saab was arrested by the FBI in Caracas.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Alex Saab? Alex Saab is a Venezuelan businessman with close ties to Nicolás Maduro, accused of corruption and money laundering by the United States.
- What were Saab’s tasks in Venezuela? Saab was responsible for feeding the Venezuelan people, constructing affordable housing, sourcing fuel and medicine, and selling gold bars.
- How did Saab’s relationship with Piedad Córdoba influence his rise? Córdoba’s introduction to Maduro and her concerns about security in Colombia likely contributed to Saab’s growing influence.
- What legal issues did Saab face? Saab’s visas were invalidated in 1997 due to suspicions of drug trafficking and money laundering. He was later arrested by the FBI in Caracas.
