Venezuela’s government announced on Saturday that it had deported Alex Saab, a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro, to face judicial proceedings in the US.

This decision marks a significant reversal for Saab, who was previously pardoned by President Joe Biden as part of a prisoner swap less than three years ago.

Saab’s deportation comes after he was arrested in 2020 during an international incident and claimed to be on a humanitarian mission to Iran.

However, the US authorities have long described him as Maduro's 'bag man,' indicating his potential involvement in illicit activities.

Following his arrest, Maduro and acting President Delcy Rodríguez argued that Saab was a Venezuelan diplomat who had been detained improperly.

The decision by Venezuela’s immigration authority to deport Saab was based on ongoing criminal investigations in the US.

These investigations allegedly involve an alleged bribery conspiracy related to Venezuelan government contracts for food imports.

The case against Saab centers around the CLAP program, which was established by Maduro to provide aid to impoverished Venezuelans.

Saab, a Colombian-born business owner who amassed a significant fortune through Venezuelan government contracts, has been under scrutiny for his involvement in potential corruption activities within the Venezuelan government.

His deportation suggests that the Venezuelan authorities are taking steps to address these allegations and cooperate with international legal processes.

The Justice Department has not yet responded to requests for comment on Saab's deportation.