Fugitive businessman taken into US custody in Venezuela bribery case

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Alvaro Pulido, a Venezuelan businessman wanted for allegedly bribing senior officials in exchange for over $2 billion in government contracts, has been taken into U.S. custody. His arrest underscores ongoing U.S. efforts to combat corruption linked to the Maduro regime amid Venezuela's severe economic crisis.

Alvaro Pulido, a businessman wanted in the United States for allegedly paying bribes to senior Venezuelan officials in exchange for lucrative government contracts, has been taken into U.S. custody. Pulido, 62, was indicted in Miami federal court in 2019 and again in 2021 as part of an investigation linked to his longtime business associate, Alex Saab, who was formerly allied with Venezuela’s ousted president Nicolás Maduro.

Pulido’s arrest follows an investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). American authorities did not specify how Pulido was transferred into U.S. custody. He was scheduled to appear in a Miami court for an initial hearing on Tuesday.

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche condemned Pulido’s actions as a “blatant disregard” for the Venezuelan people, accusing him of corrupting programs intended to deliver crucial food, medicine, and housing during a period of severe hardship in Venezuela. Blanche added that the Department of Justice remains committed to working with domestic and international partners to pursue individuals involved in such crimes.

Pulido was first arrested in Venezuela in 2023 amid a broad anti-corruption crackdown within PDVSA, the state-owned oil company, which was spearheaded by Delcy Rodríguez while she served as Venezuela’s vice president. Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president after the U.S.-backed military ouster of Maduro in January. Venezuelan authorities have yet to comment on Pulido’s arrest.

Prosecutors allege that Pulido, together with Saab, established a network of offshore shell companies to funnel bribes to top Maduro allies in exchange for contracts exceeding $2 billion. These contracts were tied to importing food, medicine, and low-cost housing, during a time when Venezuela faced widespread economic hardship and shortages.

The case highlights ongoing tensions within Venezuela’s ruling coalition, with some factions reportedly resisting U.S. efforts to detain officials accused of corruption and other serious crimes, including drug trafficking. The U.S. government had previously offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Pulido’s arrest.

Pulido’s arrest marks the latest development in a broader U.S. campaign to hold accountable individuals allegedly involved in corruption and illicit activities connected to the Maduro administration.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.