GUIDE
Alex Saab pleaded guilty in Miami: what he admitted, what comes next, and when he is sentenced
Who he is
Latest in court
- 2026-09-16 · Court sets January 20, 2027 sentencing date for Alex Saab
- All court filings we have summarized →
Alex Nain Saab Morán is a Colombian businessman long described as a financial operator for Maduro's government, especially in the CLAP food contracts. He was extradited to the U.S. from Cape Verde in 2021, released in a December 2023 prisoner swap, and later made a minister in Venezuela.
How he came back to the U.S.
According to a timeline published by El Nacional, he was removed as minister in January 2026, detained in Caracas in February, and deported to the United States by the Venezuelan government in May 2026. He first appeared in federal court in Miami on May 18 and pleaded not guilty in July.
What he admitted
On September 15, 2026 he changed his plea to guilty on a money-laundering conspiracy charge before Judge Kathleen M. Williams of the Southern District of Florida (case 26-cr-20020). According to the Justice Department he agreed to forfeit $195 million and to cooperate. The maximum sentence is 20 years.
What comes next
Sentencing is set for January 20, 2027. His cooperation can weigh on the sentence, and what he tells investigators may surface in other cases, including Maduro's.
Timeline
- The court scheduled Alex Saab's sentencing hearing. Court filing · our summary
- A joint government-defense filing laid out the CLAP corruption scheme that Saab agrees is accurate. Court filing · our summary
- The written plea agreement Alex Saab signed on August 6, 2026 was filed with the court. Court filing · our summary
- Saab appeared before Judge Williams and pleaded guilty to Count 1; the court now must schedule sentencing. Court filing · our summary
- Pleads guilty to money-laundering conspiracy in Miami; agrees to cooperate and forfeit $195 million. U.S. Department of Justice (SDFL)
- Sentencing set for January 20, 2027. Telemundo 51
- The court scheduled a change-of-plea hearing and canceled the previously set jury trial and calendar call. Court filing · our summary
- Pleads not guilty. El Nacional (timeline)
- First appearance in federal court in Miami, two days after deportation. U.S. Department of Justice
- Venezuela confirms his deportation to the United States. El Nacional (timeline)
- Released in a U.S.–Venezuela prisoner swap. Wikipedia
Related cases
- Where is Nicolás Maduro being held? Charges, dates and timeline
- Hugo "El Pollo" Carvajal: guilty and awaiting sentencing
- Tocorón Watch: every new court filing
Sources
- U.S. Department of Justice (SDFL) · Saab pleads guilty (Sep 15, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Justice · Saab arrested (May 18, 2026)
- Telemundo 51 · Sentencing date
- El Nacional · Alex Saab case timeline
Common questions
- Where is Alex Saab now?
- In federal custody in Miami, awaiting sentencing in the Southern District of Florida.
- When will Alex Saab be sentenced?
- Sentencing is set for January 20, 2027. The maximum for the charge he admitted is 20 years.
- Is Alex Saab cooperating?
- Yes. According to the Justice Department, his plea agreement includes cooperating with authorities and forfeiting $195 million.
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