Venezuela’s interim president has dismissed Alex Saab, a businessman and close ally of former leader Nicolas Maduro, from his role as minister of industry. Saab, who was appointed to the position by Maduro in 2024, was released by the United States in 2023 as part of a prisoner exchange.
The ministry will now merge with the commerce ministry, according to a message from interim leader Delcy Rodriguez on Telegram. She thanked Saab for his service and stated he would take on new responsibilities.
This change comes amid mounting pressure from Washington following the January 3 US military operation that removed Maduro from power. The dismissal marks one of several key government shifts made by Rodriguez since the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado called the developments a sign that Venezuela is entering the first stages of a “true transition” to democracy. She emphasized that support from the United States and President Donald Trump will be essential for freeing the country.
“We are definitely now into the first steps of a true transition to democracy,” Machado said in Washington. “This will have an immense impact on Venezuelans and the wider region.” She noted that Venezuela’s 2024 election had been stolen by Maduro, a claim supported by Washington and much of the international community.
However, Trump has sidelined Machado, backing Rodriguez as interim leader instead. Officials say the decision reflects Rodriguez’s willingness to follow US directives, particularly regarding access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Machado criticized Rodriguez, saying she is “following orders” rather than acting independently.
The opposition leader made her remarks a day after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Caracas to meet with Rodriguez. According to a US administration official, the meeting conveyed Washington’s expectation of an improved working relationship with the interim government.
In a related development, a US deportation flight carrying 231 Venezuelans landed in Caracas on Friday, marking the first such flight since Maduro’s removal. Deportations remain a priority for the Trump administration.
Machado also presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, describing it as a gesture representing the Venezuelan people. It was not immediately clear whether the medal remained with the president following their White House meeting.
Rodriguez has asserted that her government will engage with Washington diplomatically but is prepared to confront the United States when necessary. She made the statement while delivering Maduro’s state of the nation address to parliament, with the former leader currently jailed in New York on drug trafficking charges.
Meanwhile, Machado, who campaigned extensively against Maduro, received a warm welcome from supporters in Washington. Her visit underscores the ongoing tension between Venezuela’s interim government and opposition factions, as the country navigates a complex political transition.
The dismissal of Saab and the cabinet reshuffle signal a broader effort by the interim government to consolidate authority while aligning key policies with US priorities. Analysts say the moves could shape Venezuela’s political landscape for the coming months, particularly in energy, trade, and international relations.
