INTERNACIONAL
Maduro ally deported to US over alleged billion-dollar corruption scheme tied to oil, food program
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A close ally of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has been deported by Venezuela to the United States, according to Venezuelan officials, to face federal charges accusing him of orchestrating a sweeping money laundering and bribery scheme tied to Venezuela’s state-run food program and oil industry.
Alex Nain Saab Moran, 55, of Colombia, a former minister of industry and national production under the Maduro regime, appeared in federal court in Miami Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. The Justice Department said Saab is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutors allege Saab led a yearslong scheme beginning around 2015 to defraud a humanitarian program intended to provide food to impoverished Venezuelans.
He and his co-conspirators later allegedly sold billions of dollars’ worth of Venezuelan state-owned oil while circumventing U.S. sanctions, according to the Justice Department. Authorities say the proceeds were routed through U.S. bank accounts in an effort to conceal the transactions and further advance the scheme.
MADURO ALLY ALEX SAAB ARRESTED IN JOINT US-VENEZUELAN OPERATION, OFFICIAL SAYS
Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro (L) speaks to supporters next to Colombian-born businessman Alex Saab during a rally in Caracas on January 23, 2024. (GABRIELA ORAA/AFP via Getty Images)
«Alex Saab allegedly used American banks to launder hundreds of millions of dollars stolen from a Venezuelan food program meant for the poor and proceeds from the illegal sale of Venezuelan oil,» Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said in a statement. «This is unacceptable. The Criminal Division will not allow foreign actors to exploit the American financial system and use it as a safe haven for the proceeds of their corruption.»
Beginning around 2015, Saab and his associates allegedly paid bribes to Venezuelan government officials to secure contracts tied to the country’s CLAP welfare program, which was intended to purchase and distribute food to vulnerable and impoverished Venezuelans.
Instead of delivering the promised food supplies, prosecutors allege the group used shell companies, fraudulent invoices and falsified shipping records to embezzle hundreds of millions of dollars from the program for their own personal gain.
TREASURY TARGETS OIL TRADERS, TANKERS ACCUSED OF HELPING MADURO EVADE U.S. SANCTIONS
Businessman Alex Saab walks through Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. (Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Around 2019, as sweeping U.S. sanctions crippled Venezuela’s oil exports and placed severe strain on the country’s finances, including its ability to pay Saab and his associates under the CLAP program, Saab and his partners allegedly exploited their corrupt ties to government officials to gain access to billions of dollars’ worth of oil owned by Venezuela’s state-run oil company.
Officials allege the group sold the oil under false pretenses and used the profits to sustain and expand the original food fraud scheme.
Saab and his associates reportedly laundered the allegedly stolen funds through U.S. bank accounts in an effort to conceal the money trail, giving American authorities jurisdiction to prosecute the case.
«When illicit proceeds are moved through the United States financial system, our courts have jurisdiction and our prosecutors will act,» U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones said in a statement.
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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (R) shakes hands with Colombian-born businessman Alex Saab in Caracas on January 15, 2024. (FEDERICO PARRA/AFP)
Saab was previously indicted in the U.S. in 2019 and extradited from Cabo Verde in 2021. He was pardoned by President Biden in 2023 as part of a prisoner swap, though prosecutors say the new case involves alleged conduct not covered by that pardon.
A Miami-based attorney for Saab declined to comment to The Associated Press.
If convicted, Saab faces up to 20 years in federal prison. The government is also seeking forfeiture of any property or proceeds allegedly obtained through the alleged criminal activity.
The case was investigated by a U.S. Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which includes the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
venezuelan political crisis, colombia, saab, nicolas maduro, sanctions, crime world
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As questions persist about Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell’s condition, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., issued a blistering rebuke about his team’s handling of the crisis, reminding them of their «obligation to your constituents.»
The 84-year-old former Senate majority leader has been absent from the upper chamber for over a month now after a fall at his home left him hospitalized. His absence, coupled with the sudden death of late Sen. Lindsey Graham, leaves Senate Republicans down two crucial votes amid a dead sprint to wrap up key parts of President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, Hawley, a conservative populist, said he wishes McConnell and his family well and hopes for a recovery.
At the same time, however, Hawley said that «at a certain point you do have an obligation to your constituents and the country to tell them what’s going on.»
MCCONNELL FACES FRESH CALLS TO COME CLEAN ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES
Sen. Josh Hawley (right), R-Mo., called for transparency from Sen. Mitch McConnell (left), R-Ky., following his prolonged absence from the Senate. (Courtesy of Sen. Mitch McConnell’s office; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
«To be down a vote,» Hawley continued, «We’ve got a slim majority; it’s not easy.»
While Hawley said he would «defer» to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., on how to handle McConnell’s situation, he noted that the lack of GOP votes is hurting priorities like the voter integrity measure, the SAVE America Act.
«I just hear a lot from leadership that, ‘Well, we don’t have the votes for this.’ Like the voter I.D., we don’t have the votes for that. Well, we might want to do something about that,» he said.
Hawley also said that he too has been «totally in the dark» about McConnell’s condition and said, «I never had any idea about any of his health stuff.»
«I hope he recovers, but I also hope that they get the transparency out there to help people know what the situation is,» he said.
‘THIS IS NOT NORMAL’: AOC UNLOADS ON MCCONNELL’S PROLONGED ABSENCE
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 20: Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) is pushed in a wheelchair at the U.S. Capitol on February 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. McConnell, 83, the seven-term Senator from Kentucky who served 18 years as the Republican leader, announced he will not seek reelection and will retire after his current term. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Asked whether he believes McConnell’s condition evidences a need for age limits to serve in office, Hawley quickly shot back, «Well, I’m a term-limit guy, so I’m all for that.»
«Nothing against colleagues who are older,» he continued. He pointed to 92-year-old Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, saying, «Chuck is sharp as a tack and spry and all that stuff.»
«But I do think there needs to be term limits. People just come here and stay forever. And I think it’s what the founders intended; I don’t think it’s what people want. So, I’ve always been a big proponent of a constitutional amendment for term limits.»
McConnell is completing his seventh term in the Senate. He was first elected to the chamber in 1984. This June, he was hospitalized after a fall in his Washington, D.C., home. He later developed pneumonia while in the hospital.
After an extended period of silence, McConnell’s issued an open letter to Kentuckians in which the senator addressed his prolonged absence. McConnell attributed his fall to mobility issues left from his childhood fight with polio.
SEE IT: GOP SENATORS SPLIT ON MCCONNELL QUESTIONS AS TUBERVILLE SEEKS TIMELINE, KENNEDY DEFENDS LEADER
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) speaks at a press conference with other members of Senate Republican leadership following a policy luncheon in Washington, D.C. on October 28, 2025. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
He acknowledged that at the advice of his doctors he «won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet.»
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However, McConnell emphasized, «I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do» and said, «I’ll keep working hard to get back on the Senate floor as soon as possible.»
He also pledged to keep his constituents updated on the progress of his recovery.
mitch mcconnell, republicans, senate, john thune, politics
INTERNACIONAL
El jefe militar iraní amenazó a EEUU con una respuesta “devastadora” tras la octava ofensiva de Washington en Irán
El general Ali Abdollahi, comandante del Cuartel General Central Khatam al-Anbiya y uno de los principales mandos del Ejército de Irán, amenazó este domingo a Estados Unidos y afirmó que las Fuerzas Armadas iraníes responderán de forma “contundente y devastadora” ante cualquier nueva acción considerada una agresión contra el país. La advertencia se produce en plena escalada militar entre Washington y Teherán en Medio Oriente.
En un mensaje difundido por medios oficiales iraníes, Abdullahian reafirmó el compromiso del estamento militar con el líder supremo, Mojtaba Khamenei, y aseguró que las fuerzas seguirán sus directrices para preservar “los ideales de la revolución”, la unidad nacional y la seguridad del país.
El general señaló que las Fuerzas Armadas emplearán “todo nuestro potencial y capacidad” para reforzar la cooperación entre los distintos cuerpos militares, la población y las instituciones del Estado, con el objetivo de “garantizar los intereses de la nación iraní, defender los derechos del pueblo y la seguridad nacional”.
Abdullahian dirigió una advertencia directa a Washington, al que calificó de “criminal, traidor y astuto”. “Cualquier intento de codicia, intimidación, totalitarismo y barbarie será respondido con contundencia y devastación por los valientes y poderosos combatientes creyentes de las fuerzas armadas”, afirmó, y añadió que Teherán impondrá a su adversario “costos aún más altos que las dos y tres guerras impuestas”.
El general defendió que las capacidades defensivas de Irán constituyen “un sólido respaldo para la paz y la seguridad” y permiten al Gobierno desarrollar sus políticas en favor de la población.
Por otra parte, acusó a Estados Unidos de intentar fomentar divisiones internas tras sufrir “una serie de derrotas en la guerra militar”. Afirmó que el “campamento enemigo” busca enfrentar a la población con las autoridades iraníes y reclamó mantener la cohesión nacional para frustrar lo que describió como “una siniestra conspiración”.
Abdullahian concluyó que las Fuerzas Armadas iraníes protegerán “con todo nuestro potencial y capacidad” la unidad del país bajo el liderazgo de Mojtaba Khamanei y reiteró su compromiso con la defensa de la República Islámica.
A su vez, el Ejército iraní anunció que a primera hora del domingo lanzó una nueva oleada de ataques con drones contra objetivos estadounidenses en Kuwait. Según el comunicado difundido, los ataques se dirigieron a un depósito de municiones en el campamento Al-Adairi y a instalaciones de personal y equipamiento en la base aérea Ali Al Salem. Las autoridades indicaron que los ataques formaron parte de la decimoséptima fase de la Operación Saegheh.
Por su parte, Estados Unidos concluyó esta madrugada la octava ronda de bombardeos contra Irán por orden del presidente Donald Trump, con el objetivo de reducir la capacidad de Teherán para amenazar el tráfico marítimo en el estrecho de Ormuz y en respuesta al ataque de la Guardia Revolucionaria Islámica (CGRI) que asesinó a dos militares estadounidenses en Jordania. Aún permanece un soldado desaparecido.
El Comando Central de Estados Unidos (CENTCOM) informó que los ataques aéreos comenzaron a las 18.00 horas de este sábado (hora local de la costa estadounidense). Horas después, el CENTCOM dio por concluida la ofensiva de la noche, la octava consecutiva, y aseguró que más de 50.000 uniformados estadounidenses continúan desplegados en la región, “en estado de máxima vigilancia, concentrados, letales y listos para la acción”.
En una actualización difundida en redes sociales, el CENTCOM comunicó que las fuerzas estadounidenses atacaron instalaciones de vigilancia costera y defensa aérea, capacidades marítimas, así como depósitos de misiles y drones iraníes, “continuando así el debilitamiento de las capacidades militares de Irán”.
Además, los recursos militares estadounidenses atacaron a las fuerzas de la Guardia Revolucionaria Islámica responsables de los ataques contra militares estadounidenses en Jordania el 17 de julio.
Middle East,Military Conflicts
INTERNACIONAL
Liberal law professor breaks with Obama judge over Trump lawyer crackdown: ‘I refuse to teach’ it
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Legal minds across the political spectrum are admonishing an Obama-appointed federal judge for suggesting that bar associations should look into sanctioning lawyers working for the president or the Justice Department, and one liberal constitutional law professor is refusing to teach his students that such a move is acceptable.
U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams formally referred Trump attorney Alejandro Brito to the Florida Bar in an opinion released Monday and ordered the ruling sent to authorities considering existing disciplinary complaints involving acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward.
The disciplinary actions stem from Williams’ ruling in a case involving a settlement that shielded Trump, members of his family and affiliated businesses from certain federal tax audits and claims.
OBAMA-APPOINTED JUDGE TORCHES TRUMP ADMIN IN LATEST COURTROOM SHOWDOWN, REFERS ATTORNEY FOR BAR REVIEW
Bar associations have the ability to suspend the law licenses of individuals practicing law in their jurisdictions, giving them significant power over the ability of lawyers — including powerful DOJ officials — to do their work.
«The court would also have litigants believe that, in such a circumstance, it is not only appropriate to dismiss the case but also to sanction and deprive litigants and their counsel of their reputation, license or money,» constitutional law professor Christian Lee Gonzalez-Rivera, who identifies as a liberal, told Fox News Digital. «As a law professor, attorney and former judicial law clerk, I refuse to teach the former or accept the latter.»
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche listens during a news conference at the Justice Department July 1, 2026, in Washington. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
The existing complaint against Blanche alleges he mishandled evidence linked to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, used the DOJ to attack Trump’s personal enemies and failed to properly represent the interests of the United States during the negotiations that led to the creation of the now-defunct $1.8 billion weaponization compensation fund.
Woodward, meanwhile, faces a bar complaint alleging that his approval of the creation of the weaponization fund constituted a conflict of interest because he had previously represented Jan. 6 defendants and Trump associates who could potentially benefit from it.
Gonzalez-Rivera, who teaches law at a Catholic university in Florida, said that the judge’s order «effectively sanctions the bringing of debatable, if losing, arguments in high-stakes first impression cases,» arguing that it would have been ridiculous if judges recommended professional punishments for lawyers who were on the losing sides of other high-profile, historical court cases.
LEGAL WAR ON TRUMP’S AGENDA GAINS FIREPOWER AS FEDERAL LAWYERS DEFECT TO DEMOCRATS
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Jeffrey Clark, a former DOJ official now serving as the vice president of litigation at a right-wing watchdog group, cautioned that Williams’ order — if allowed to become the norm — could damage the legal profession by empowering a small number of bar association insiders.
«This nonsense has to end. The State and local bars are not the superior officers of or the equivalent of a school-marmish national Principal’s Office that sits in supervision of two highest-ranking leaders of the Justice Department,» he wrote Monday.
«If this trend continues, no future Republican lawyer is going to agree to enter the U.S. Justice Department to carry out the President’s law enforcement orders as the Constitution intended,» Clark continued.
«Power will instead be monopolized and moved only to the Left … The Framers would be shocked to learn that the real boss of Executive Branch legal power is not the singular President of the United States, but instead committees of insular coastal elite lawyers purporting to wield the meta-power of legal ethics.»
MIKE DAVIS: WHY SENATE MUST IGNORE OBAMA JUDGE’S ATTACK ON AG NOMINEE TODD BLANCHE
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building May 19, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Clark has also faced disciplinary proceedings in Washington, D.C., where a disciplinary board recommended he be disbarred over his role in a proposed DOJ letter to Georgia officials after the 2020 election, allegations he has denied and cast as politically motivated.
«DOJ has the power to put an end to this nonsense by issuing regulations preempting state/local bar weaponization,» he added.
While Williams ordered the clerk to forward her opinion to disciplinary authorities reviewing existing complaints involving Blanche and Woodward, she formally referred Brito to the Florida Bar after finding that he advanced the case in «bad faith.»
Williams said Trump’s lawsuit related to his tax immunity settlement was used to give judicial legitimacy to a legally baseless settlement; she flagged conflict concerns involving Blanche and Woodward’s prior clients and ordered the opinion sent to their bars, while formally referring Brito to the Florida Bar because he signed the complaint that launched the case.
«I find it absurd that federal judges continue to attack DOJ lawyers, to include and especially acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, with roots in nothing more than the political viewpoints of those supposed unbiased judges,» Jay Town, the former United States attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, told Fox News Digital.
Williams was appointed to the bench in 2011 by President Barack Obama. She previously issued a ruling against «Alligator Alcatraz,» a detention center operated by the state of Florida to house illegal immigrants awaiting deportation, but was overruled by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
«On the bright side, this and the likely more orders like this one we may see out of other district courts nationwide … may nevertheless present higher courts — perhaps our highest one, too — with a chance to revisit judge-made doctrines like justiciability, which increasingly show their ability to be weaponized not only from outside but also from within the judiciary itself,» Gonzalez-Rivera told Fox News Digital.
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Conservative lawyer Mike Davis has called on the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to overrule Williams’s ruling in this case.
«The federal judge in Florida clearly strategically timed her referral of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the New York Bar to come just before his confirmation hearing to be elevated to the attorney general’s office,» Clark told Fox News Digital. «This is flatly unconscionable non-judicial conduct.»
todd blanche, justice department, federal judges, politics, law
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