Chavismo has NOT confirmed the arrest as of this note’s publication. Additionally, U.S. authorities have not released any documents regarding a new accusation.
Pedro Carvajalino claims on his social media that the detention of #AlexSaab is false. Sources from the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo assert that Saab’s associates informed them that this version was untrue and that the Barranquilla-born, now Venezuelan national and alleged frontman for Nicolás Maduro, stated he was in Barinas.
In a dramatic turn highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy and criminal law, Colombian-Venezuelan businessman Alex Saab was reportedly arrested in Caracas early in the morning on February 4, 2026. This capture, carried out in a joint operation between Venezuelan authorities under the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez and the FBI, has generated a whirlwind of speculation regarding his potential extradition to the U.S. However, a key aspect defining the limits of any future judicial process is the presidential pardon granted by Joe Biden in December 2023: Saab cannot be tried for the same federal crimes for which he was forgiven, as the pardon absolves both guilt and any further prosecution in that jurisdiction.
Background: A history of corruption and diplomacy
Alex Saab, often described as a key frontman for Nicolás Maduro’s regime, has been at the center of international discussions for years. His trajectory includes allegations of money laundering amounting to around 350 million dollars, linked to corrupt contracts with the Venezuelan government, including the CLAP food program, and evasion of U.S. sanctions. In 2020, he was detained in Cape Verde while traveling on a private jet and extradited to the U.S. in 2021, where he faced charges in a federal court in Florida for conspiracy to launder assets.
But everything changed on December 15, 2023. As part of a prisoner exchange negotiated between Washington and Caracas, President Joe Biden signed a pardon that freed Saab in exchange for the repatriation of several U.S. citizens being held in Venezuela, including six Citgo executives and other political hostages. This pardon not only extracted him from a Miami prison but also formally led to the dismissal of all charges in March 2024. After his release, Saab returned to Venezuela, where he was welcomed as a hero by chavismo and appointed Minister of Industries and National Production by Maduro.
Biden’s pardon faced criticism from Republican opponents and human rights activists, who viewed it as a concession to Venezuelan authoritarianism. Nevertheless, it was part of broader diplomatic efforts to thaw bilateral relations, including temporary relief from oil sanctions.
The 2026 Arrest: Context and Details
Saab’s capture occurred around 2:30 a.m. in Caracas amid a backdrop of political instability following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest on January 3, 2026, and the interim presidency of Delcy Rodríguez. Sources from U.S. intelligence indicate that the operation aimed to dismantle residual chavista networks, with Saab as a central figure due to his role in financial schemes. Along with him, the detention of Raúl Gorrín, owner of Globovisión and another key ally of Maduro, is also reported; he appears on the list of most wanted by U.S. justice.
Currently, Saab is in the custody of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), and discussions for his extradition to the U.S. are being coordinated. On social media platforms like X, the news quickly went viral, with posts from Venezuelan journalists and politicians confirming the operation and speculating about its diplomatic implications.
The Role of the Pardon: Why He Cannot Be Tried for the Same Crimes
Here’s where the legal core of the case lies: Biden’s presidential pardon prohibits any new federal trial for the same forgiven crimes. Under U.S. constitutional law, a presidential pardon completely absolves the guilt and punishment associated with specific crimes, treating the beneficiary as if they never committed the act. This is based on precedents like the Ex parte Garland case (1866), where the Supreme Court confirmed that a pardon “erases the offense” and restores civil rights, blocking repeated prosecutions.
In Saab’s case, the pardon explicitly covers the charges of money laundering and conspiracy related to his activities until 2023. Therefore:
No to the same crimes: The U.S. cannot reopen the case for those same federal accusations. Any attempt would violate the protection against double jeopardy implied in the pardon.
Possible exceptions: However, Saab may face trials for new crimes committed after the pardon, such as illicit activities during his time as a minister in Venezuela (2024-2026). Additionally, the pardon only applies to federal crimes; it does not affect proceedings in U.S. state jurisdictions or in other countries, like Colombia, where he faces corruption investigations.
Pardon conditions: The document includes strict clauses, such as a prohibition on entering the U.S., the forfeiture of seized assets (over 12 million dollars), and not profiting from publications about his case. If a violation is proven, the pardon could be revoked, although this would require a presidential determination and has not been alleged so far.
Legal experts consulted, including constitutional law professors at universities like Harvard, emphasize that revoking a pardon is extremely rare and would require clear evidence of noncompliance. In the words of an analyst: “The pardon is an absolute executive tool; once granted, it closes the door on those specific charges.”
Saab’s arrest represents a blow to residual chavismo and could strengthen cooperation between the new Venezuelan government and the U.S., especially in the fight against corruption. However, it raises questions about Venezuelan sovereignty and the use of pardons in diplomacy. Will this serve as a precedent for future exchanges?
As the situation evolves, Alex Saab’s case illustrates how the intersection of politics, law, and international relations can redefine the fate of controversial figures. What is clear is that for the crimes pardoned in 2023, there will be no second trial in U.S. federal courts. The focus now is on potential new charges or in other jurisdictions, marking an uncertain chapter in this 21st-century socialism saga and the administration of President Donald Trump.