The departure of Alex Saab was not an isolated incident. With his downfall, an internal restructuring began within chavismo, now targeting figures who had operated with their own power within the system for years. One of the next names on the list is that of Attorney General, Tarek William Saab.
Since taking office, Saab has been an uncomfortable actor for the more hardline sectors of chavismo. His close relationship with Cilia Flores —currently detained in the United States— was the main shield that kept him in his position, despite having little support from the Rodríguez brothers, Delcy and Jorge, who are now the principal administrators of the power apparatus.
Although he was confirmed by the National Assembly until 2031, the case of the former prosecutor Luisa Ortega Díaz shows that such formal legitimacy can evaporate if the political high command so decides.
And just as happened with Alex Saab’s fall, which took his most loyal spokespersons down with him —like Pedro Carvajalino and Roigar Díaz— the partners of the attorney general are also starting to become exposed. The most emblematic case is that of brothers Roberto and Jorge Añez, owners of the Avior Airlines.
During Saab’s term as governor of Anzoátegui state (2004–2012), the airline benefited from preferential currency allocations to renew its fleet. However, according to multiple investigations, that capital was used to purchase outdated planes —mostly decommissioned Boeing 737s— which today keep Avior among the airlines with the worst international reputation, according to rankings like that of Yahoo! Finance.
Beyond the economic benefits, various reports have indicated that Saab may hold a hidden stake in the company, facilitating administrative and regulatory processes in exchange for his cut, similar to what might have occurred with the construction firm Conkor, which was favored during his term as governor.
The Añez brothers have also been linked to the PDVSA Cripto scheme and the alleged defrauding of over 400 million dollars from the Venezuelan Chinese Fund. Part of that money was supposedly allocated for the construction of a waste treatment plant in the San Francisco municipality of Zulia state, under the mayoralty of Omar Prieto.
This circle also includes Adrián Ruiz, a well-known publicist linked to Nasar Dagga Mujamad (owner of Daka stores) and current CEO of the cryptocurrency platform Crixto. Just like with Avior and Conkor, sources suggest that behind the Crixto business, Tarek William Saab and Roberto Añez may be involved, using funds seized by the Public Ministry to finance the venture. This potential partnership could help explain why Añez, despite being involved in high-profile cases, does not face arrest warrants and maintains a transnational lifestyle between Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.
The truth is that Tarek William Saab’s political stability is beginning to crumble. With the erosion of Cilia Flores’ backing and the growing pressure from the Rodríguez brothers, the attorney general appears more vulnerable every day. The internal purge does not discriminate between opponents and allies, and historical figures of chavismo like Saab may not find a place in the new power structure. His network of relationships, businesses, and strategic operators, which once provided him protection, now makes him a target.