Interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, revealed on Friday the merger of the Ministry of Industries and National Production with the Ministry of National Commerce into a newly formed entity to be led by Luis Antonio Villegas. This move effectively removes Colombian businessman Alex Saab, a close associate of former leader Nicolás Maduro, from the cabinet.
The announcement was made via her Telegram account, where Rodríguez expressed gratitude to Saab for his "service to the nation" and mentioned that he will be taking on "new responsibilities."
Villegas had already been serving as the Minister of National Commerce following his appointment by Maduro in February 2024.
Saab, appointed by Maduro to head the Ministry of Industries and National Production in October 2024, previously chaired the International Center for Productive Investment in Venezuela.
Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and of Lebanese descent, Saab was arrested in Cape Verde in 2020 and extradited to the United States, where he faced charges of money laundering conspiracy and being a "front man" for the Venezuelan government.
He was detained in the U.S. from October 2021 until December 2023 when he was granted a presidential pardon by then-President Joe Biden. The U.S. justice system dropped the charges against him in March 2024.
During his detention, his Italian wife, Camilla Fabri, became the public face of Maduro's government campaign for his release. Fabri now leads the "Misión Vuelta a la Patria," a state program managing the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants.
Although Saab maintained a low profile as a businessman, he gained notoriety after former prosecutor Luisa Ortega accused him in 2017 of being one of Maduro's front men.
In recent years, he has been linked to several companies, including Group Grand Limited (GGL), accused of overcharging for food supplies to the Local Supply and Production Committees (CLAP), a program supported by the Chavista government.
The initial allegations were published by the investigative outlet Armando.info, which uncovered Saab's involvement in a money laundering network tied to fictitious food exports to Venezuela.
In her first ten days as interim president following Maduro's capture by U.S. forces during a military operation in Caracas, Rodríguez has initiated numerous cabinet changes.
This Friday, she appointed Freddy Ñáñez as Minister of Ecosocialism, Aníbal Coronado as the new Minister of Transportation, and Miguel Ángel Pérez Pirela to lead the Ministry of Communication and Information, labeling these shifts as a "ministerial revolution."
Earlier, she named Captain Juan Escalona, a member of Maduro's security team, as Minister of the Presidential Office, and former Central Bank President Calixto Ortega as the new Vice President of Economic Affairs.
Additionally, Rodríguez dismissed the head of Maduro's security, Major General Javier Marcano Tábata, replacing him with General Gustavo González López, who now serves as the commander of the Presidential Honor Guard and chief of the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence (DGCIM).
Key Changes in Venezuelan Government Leadership
Who is leading the new combined ministry in Venezuela?
Luis Antonio Villegas has been appointed to lead the newly merged Ministry of Industries and National Production with the Ministry of National Commerce.
What were the charges against Alex Saab in the United States?
Alex Saab faced charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and was accused of being a "front man" for the Venezuelan government.
How did Camilla Fabri contribute during Alex Saab's detention?
Camilla Fabri became the visible face of the campaign led by Nicolás Maduro's government to secure Saab's release while he was detained in the United States.
What is the "Misión Vuelta a la Patria" program?
The "Misión Vuelta a la Patria" is a state initiative led by Camilla Fabri to manage the repatriation of Venezuelan migrants.