The wife of Alex Saab, a man accused of acting as a front for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, has been removed from her position within the Venezuelan government amid a broader cabinet reshuffle, officials announced on February 23, 2026. The move comes as the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez continues to consolidate power following Maduro’s ouster in January.
Camilla Fabri de Saab’s dismissal is the latest development in a series of political changes following the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3 by U.S. Forces. Both are now facing narcotics trafficking charges in Novel York.
Saab himself was initially arrested in Cabo Verde in 2020 and extradited to the United States in October 2021 to face money laundering charges. The Venezuelan government at the time characterized his arrest as a “kidnapping” and defended him as a “hero.” He was later returned to Venezuela as part of a prisoner exchange and appointed to a government position in October 2024, overseeing the Ministry of Industry and International Investment. However, Rodríguez removed him from that role in January.
Saab became closely associated with the Venezuelan government during the latter years of Hugo Chávez’s presidency (1999-2013). He subsequently managed a vast import network for Maduro’s government, including the controversial CLAP food subsidy program, which has been plagued by corruption allegations.
The cabinet changes are occurring against a backdrop of increasing pressure from Washington following the January 3 capture of Maduro, and Flores. The development underscores the ongoing efforts to dismantle networks linked to the former regime and address allegations of corruption and illicit financial activity.
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