In a surprising move Nicolas Maduro‚ Venezuelas leader‚ has picked Alex Saab for the job of industry minister. Maduro shared this news on social media on 10/18/2024. Saab‚ who is known to be close to Maduro was set free in a prisoner swap with the US roughly a year ago
Saab is taking over from Pedro Tellechea. Tellechea was moved from the oil ministry to the industry ministry about two months ago. This was part of a big change in the government team after a presidential vote that some people didnt agree with. The shake-up also changed who was in charge of oil and money matters‚ and the state oil company PDVSA
Before he got this new job Saab had some legal trouble. He was taken from Cape Verde to the US to face charges about money. But he was let go when prisoners were swapped between Venezuela and the US
Tellechea said on social media that he was thankful for his time working with the government. He also said he had to quit his job as industry minister because of “health problems that need to be looked at right away“
This change in Venezuelas government team shows how Maduro is bringing people he trusts into important jobs. It also shows how the countrys relationships with other nations (like the US) can affect whos in power