The United States confirmed on Sunday the arrest of Colombian businessman Álvaro Pulido Vargas, a former associate of Alex Saab, and accused of participating in multimillion-dollar money laundering schemes and bribery linked to the government of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.
Pulido, sought by U.S. authorities for years, faces two federal charges filed in Miami in 2019 and 2021, related to alleged corruption operations involving government contracts for the supply of food, medicine, and housing.
The Attorney General of the United States, Todd Blanche, announced the arrest on his X account and stated that the operation was carried out by security forces from the Homeland Security Task Force.
"His alleged actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for the Venezuelan people," stated Blanche, who accused the businessman of exploiting programs intended to meet the basic needs of the population for personal gain.
U.S. authorities had offered a reward of up to 10 million dollars for information that would lead to his capture or conviction.
According to Associated Press, the operation was the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the FBI, and the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
Nicole Navas Oxman, spokesperson for the Homeland Security Task Force, confirmed that Pulido is in U.S. custody and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday, October 13, in Miami.
However, the authorities have not explained how he ended up in U.S. custody or the circumstances of his transfer.
His relationship with Alex Saab and the businesses of Chavismo
Pulido was for years a partner of Colombian businessman Alex Saab, who maintained close ties with the government of Nicolás Maduro and was involved in businesses related to Venezuelan state programs.
According to U.S. prosecutors, both businessmen allegedly used a network of fictitious companies abroad to funnel bribes to Venezuelan officials in exchange for multimillion-dollar contracts intended for importing food, medicine, and materials for low-cost housing.
The investigations include operations related to the food distribution program known as CLAP, developed in Venezuela during the economic crisis.
Pulido's arrest comes almost five months after the Venezuelan government led by Delcy Rodríguez handed over Alex Saab to U.S. authorities on May 16, 2026.
The businessman was deported from Venezuela and transferred under the custody of U.S. federal agents to Miami, where he appeared before the court for new charges of money laundering and conspiracy.
Subsequently, on September 15, Saab pleaded guilty in a federal court in Miami to conspiracy to launder monetary instruments, in a scheme related to food and medicine contracts.
As part of his agreement with the prosecution, he agreed to cooperate with U.S. investigations and to forfeit 195 million dollars in illicit gains. His sentencing is scheduled for January 20, 2027.
So far, the authorities have not confirmed that Pulido's arrest is a result of Saab's judicial collaboration.
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