Venezuela Officials in Talks to Send Detained Maduro Ally to US

The Trump administration is working with Venezuela’s interim government to bring a key ally of ousted leader Nicolás Maduro to the US to face prosecution on charges that could include money laundering, according to people familiar with the matter.

Alex Saab, a naturalized Venezuelan citizen originally from Colombia, was detained early in February shortly after being removed from office as industry minister. The government hasn’t disclosed charges against him. People with knowledge of the situation said he has been held at least part of the time since at Caracas’ El Helicoide prison, infamous for its harsh conditions.