EFE.— A federal judge in Miami has postponed for 30 days the hearing originally scheduled for Wednesday for former Venezuelan minister and Colombian businessman Alex Saab, whom U.S. authorities identify as an alleged frontman for ousted Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, following a request from his defense team.
Judge Enjolique A. Lett rescheduled the hearing to Tuesday, July 24, according to documents from the U.S. judicial system.
Saab’s attorneys requested a postponement of the arraignment and legal representation review hearing, which the court had initially scheduled for June 24, to secure additional time to finalize his legal team.
Prosecutors did not oppose the request. The filing also stated that Saab had temporarily waived his right to a speedy trial while his attorneys completed the representation process.
In the motion, the defense stated that the defendant had received a copy of the indictment, fully understood the charges and judicial proceedings, and agreed to delay the hearing for an additional thirty days.
Saab, 54, made his first appearance before a federal court in Miami on May 18, two days after authorities deported him from Venezuela to the United States.
During that hearing, prosecutors charged him with money laundering, conspiracy to conduct financial transactions, and concealing and disguising the origin of funds. The court also ordered him to remain in custody without bail.
A close ally of Maduro, Saab had previously faced money-laundering charges in the United States. Authorities arrested him in Cape Verde in 2020 and later extradited him to the United States. In 2023, during the administration of Joe Biden, U.S. officials released the businessman as part of a prisoner exchange with Venezuela.
Saab later returned to Caracas, where the government appointed him Minister of Industries and National Production.
U.S. authorities deported Saab to the United States after the U.S. military operation of January 3 that removed Maduro from power and captured him. Maduro remains in New York City, where he faces charges related to drug trafficking.
