Michel E. Torres Corona, the host of Cuba's state propaganda show Con Filo, expressed his dismay on Saturday following the extradition of Alex Saab from Venezuela to the United States. He described the event as "shameful" and directly criticized key figures within the Chavista regime.
The Venezuelan Administrative Identification, Migration, and Immigration Service (Saime) issued an official statement announcing the deportation of Alex Naim Saab Morán, a Colombian businessman who served as a financial operator for Nicolás Maduro's government.
The statement explained that the action was taken because Saab "is involved in various crimes in the United States of America, as is publicly known and communicated."
Torres Corona used this phrase, a Venezuelan legal term often employed by Maduro's administration, sarcastically to highlight the contradiction between the official narrative that portrayed Saab as a victim and the implicit acknowledgment of his crimes.
"The 'publicly known and communicated' was the global campaign for Alex Saab's freedom. Back then, he was a kidnapped diplomat, a special envoy who managed to deliver food and medicine to Venezuela circumventing sanctions," the Cuban presenter wrote on Facebook.
He further commented, "The 'publicly known and communicated' was that, in December 2023, Saab was freed as part of a prisoner swap between the United States and Venezuela. And now they send him back, because it turns out he was indeed a criminal, and the Americans were right."
The most striking part of his statement directly targeted the Chavista leadership. "Enough is enough. It's disgraceful. Either Maduro is corrupt, or the Rodríguez siblings are traitors. In any case, it's all messed up. Let's move on."
The mention of "the Rodríguez siblings" refers to Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's Vice President, and Jorge Rodríguez, President of the National Assembly, who were pivotal in publicly defending Saab and in negotiations with Washington.
The case has a lengthy history. Saab was indicted in July 2019 by Miami federal prosecutors on eight counts of money laundering related to the Venezuelan government's CLAP program.
He was arrested in Cape Verde in June 2020 and extradited to the United States in October 2021.
In December 2023, the administration of former President Joe Biden (2021-2025) released him in a prisoner exchange for 10 American citizens detained in Venezuela, and the Chavista regime welcomed him as a hero.
However, on February 4, Saab was arrested again in Venezuela in a joint operation by SEBIN and the FBI, as confirmed by Reuters.
This Sunday, Venezuela formally handed him over to U.S. authorities, who transferred him to a federal prison in Miami.
Despite his outrage over the case, Torres Corona concluded his post by reaffirming his ideological stance with phrases such as "Long live free Cuba!" and "Homeland or death," which did not go unnoticed by those following the Cuban propagandist on social media.
Saab's testimony is considered crucial for the open criminal cases against Maduro and Cilia Flores in New York for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, making his extradition a significant blow to the Venezuelan regime and its regional allies.
Key Aspects of Alex Saab's Extradition
Why was Alex Saab extradited to the United States?
Alex Saab was extradited to the United States because he is implicated in numerous crimes, including money laundering connected to the Venezuelan government's CLAP program.
What was the reaction of Michel E. Torres Corona to Saab's extradition?
Michel E. Torres Corona reacted with indignation, criticizing the Chavista leadership and labeling the situation as disgraceful, while questioning the integrity of key figures like Nicolás Maduro and the Rodríguez siblings.
What is the significance of Saab's testimony?
Saab's testimony is pivotal in ongoing criminal investigations against Maduro and Cilia Flores in New York for drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, posing a substantial threat to the Venezuelan regime and its supporters.