Biden Admin Swaps Jailed Venezuelan 'Bag Man' for Imprisoned Americans
• The Biden administration released Alex Saab, a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, from custody in exchange for jailed Americans in Venezuela.
• The White House declined to comment, but the swap is likely to free some or all of the roughly dozen U.S. citizens imprisoned in Venezuela.
• Saab was arrested in 2020 on money laundering charges tied to an alleged bribery scheme that siphoned off $350 million in state funds.
• The U.S. has accused Saab of being a "bag man" for Maduro and previously sanctioned him.
• The deal angers Venezuelan opposition groups who have criticized the White House for failing to topple Maduro despite Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign.