Colombian businessman Alex Saab has been appointed as the new industry minister in Venezuela, following the latest cabinet change made by President Nicolas Maduro since the contested election. Saab, who is an ally of Maduro and was previously imprisoned in the US on money laundering charges, will replace Pedro Tellechea in the position. Tellechea cited health problems as the reason for his resignation.
Maduro announced the appointment of Saab on the messaging app Telegram, stating that Saab would play a crucial role in developing Venezuela’s industrial system under a new economic model. Saab was released from US custody in December 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange with Venezuela, signaling a thaw in relations between the two countries.
Despite Maduro’s victory in the July election being certified by the country’s electoral authorities and high court, there has been widespread doubt from election oversight groups, human rights organizations, and the opposition regarding the legitimacy of the election results. Pre-election polling had suggested Maduro was likely to lose to the opposition by a large margin.
The appointment of Saab comes amid ongoing political turmoil in Venezuela, with the government facing criticism for its crackdown on dissent following the contested election. Saab’s role as industry minister will be closely watched as Venezuela seeks to navigate economic challenges and implement new policies under Maduro’s leadership.
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