World
Venezuela’s interim president reshuffles cabinet, sacks Alex Saab as industry minister
Venezuela’s interim president has removed businessman Alex Saab as minister of industry following a cabinet reshuffle that merges the industry ministry with the commerce ministry.
The announcement was made on Friday by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez in a message shared on Telegram.
She said the government had decided to combine both portfolios and thanked Saab for his service while he held the position.
Rodríguez added that Saab, who was born in Colombia but is now a Venezuelan citizen, would be given new responsibilities after leaving the ministry.
The development comes amid increasing pressure from the United States, following the January 3 US military operation that resulted in the removal of former president Nicolás Maduro.
It is one of several adjustments Rodríguez has made to the government since assuming interim leadership.
Saab was released in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange with the United States and was appointed minister of industry by Maduro in 2024.
A close associate of the ousted leader, Saab was previously arrested in 2020 during a refuelling stop in Cape Verde under an Interpol notice accusing him of acting as a front man for Maduro.
He was subsequently extradited to the United States, where he and a business partner were charged with operating a network that allegedly exploited food aid intended for Venezuela.
After his release, Saab returned to Venezuela and was welcomed in Caracas, later taking up his ministerial post in October 2024.
Follow Us on Google Discover
Obi/Kwankwaso ticket cannot win 2027 elections, NDC lone senator, Hanga says as he plots defection to APC
UNICAL moves to curb exam fraud, sacks eight staff, penalizes one
TCN announces power blackout in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, three other Northern states
Police nab eight suspected cultists over alleged assault on Bayelsa Varsity student
Tems makes history as first African female artist with US Diamond-certified single
Imo now one-party state, our people have decided to re-elect Tinubu in 2027, Says Uzodimma
Court sentences two men to death by hanging for raping, murdering 17-year-old girl in Anambra
Trump criticises Tuchel’s tactics after England’s World Cup exit to Argentina
NBA Presidential Poll: Badejo-Okusanya leads as voting continues after cyberattack delay
APC crisis deepens as Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists sue party, INEC over Ondo primaries
NUJ FCT Chairman Grace Ike wins Beacon of Education Award, pledges support for children with special needs
5.0-magnitude quake rocks Southeastern Turkey
Nigerians, foreign nationals nabbed over illegal mining in Nasarawa
My husband suffering political prosecution – El-Rufai’s wife Asia reports husband’s detention to international community
Kebbi 2027: ADC Guber candidate Abubakar Malami names Musa Zagi as running mate
8 Public assets named after Tinubu since becoming president (Full List)
JUST IN: Three face trial over Oyo schoolchildren, teachers’ abduction
BREAKING: Abducted principal, NECO official, students rescued – Kogi Govt
Supreme Court directs final forfeiture of Emefiele’s properties
Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s son bags degree in UK
FG renames Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway after President Tinubu
Court sentences two men to death by hanging for raping, murdering 17-year-old girl in Anambra
Yobe approves ₦460.8m support for Akara sellers, Women petty traders
Bauchi 2027: APC picks ex-Bala Mohammed campaign DG Faruk Mustapha as Deputy Gov candidate
TCN announces power blackout in Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, three other Northern states
APC crisis deepens as Aiyedatiwa’s loyalists sue party, INEC over Ondo primaries
BREAKING: Andy Burnham confirmed as UK Labour leader
Court dismisses suit seeking INEC recognition of Turaki-led PDP interim NWC
Imo now one-party state, our people have decided to re-elect Tinubu in 2027, Says Uzodimma
