US Apprehends Fugitive Linked to Venezuelan Bribery Scheme

WHO:

ABC News - Nicole Navas Oxman is a spokesperson for the Homeland Security Task Force.

CBS News - Alvaro Pulido, a businessman, was indicted in Miami federal court.

ABC News - Alex Saab, Pulido's longtime business partner and a one-time ally of ousted President Nicolás Maduro, is also involved in the case.

ABC News - Delcy Rodríguez, acting President of Venezuela, is mentioned in relation to the arrest and the political context.

WHAT:

ABC News - Pulido was taken into U.S. custody after an investigation led by the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations agencies.

BBC News - US officials had been offering a reward of $10 million (£7.5 million) for information leading to Álvaro Pulido's arrest.

ABC News - Pulido was taken into U.S. custody after an investigation led by the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations agencies.

ABC News - Venezuelan authorities have not commented on Pulido's arrest.

ABC News - Pulido will make his initial court appearance on Tuesday in Miami.

ABC News - Saab pleaded guilty in a related bribery case last month, agreeing to cooperate against Maduro and other individuals and forfeit $195 million in criminal proceeds from the corruption scheme.

CBS News - Alvaro Pulido was taken into U.S. custody for allegedly bribing Venezuelan officials.

ABC News - Pulido was indicted in Miami federal court in 2019 and again in 2021.

ABC News - The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and State Department offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to Pulido's arrest.

ABC News - Pulido will make his initial court appearance in Miami.

WHERE:

ABC News - Pulido was arrested in Venezuela as part of a crackdown on corruption inside state-run oil company PDVSA led by Delcy Rodríguez.

CBS News - Pulido was taken into custody in the U.S.

ABC News - The initial court appearance will take place in Miami.

ABC News - Pulido was arrested in Venezuela as part of a crackdown on corruption inside state-run oil company PDVSA.

WHEN:

ABC News - Pulido was indicted in Miami federal court in 2019 and again in 2021.

ABC News - Pulido was arrested in Venezuela in 2023.

ABC News - Saab was deported to the U.S. by Rodríguez in May.

WHY:

ABC News - The arrest reflects the challenge acting President Delcy Rodríguez faces in appeasing elements of the ruling coalition that want her to resist attempts by the Trump administration to apprehend Venezuelan insiders wanted by the U.S. for serious crimes.

ABC News - Delcy Rodríguez faces challenges in appeasing elements of the ruling coalition that want her to resist U.S. attempts to apprehend Venezuelan insiders.

Fox News - Pulido allegedly exploited Venezuela's CLAP food program and housing contracts, funneling billions through U.S. banks to hide bribes.

ABC News - Pulido and Saab allegedly created a network of offshore shell companies to funnel bribes to top Maduro allies in exchange for contracts during a time of widespread hardship in Venezuela.

HOW:

Fox News - Pulido allegedly exploited Venezuela's CLAP food program and housing contracts, funneling billions through U.S. banks to hide bribes.

ABC News - Pulido and Saab allegedly created a network of offshore shell companies to funnel bribes to top Maduro allies in exchange for contracts to import food, medicine, and low-cost housing.

ABC News - The investigation leading to Pulido's arrest was conducted by the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations agencies.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 15:08 UTC)

Álvaro Pulido has been taken into U.S. custody following a joint investigation by the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations, with U.S. officials previously offering a reward of $10 million for information leading to his arrest. This development poses a significant challenge for acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who must navigate pressures from her ruling coalition to resist U.S. efforts to apprehend Venezuelan insiders wanted for serious crimes. Pulido is accused of exploiting Venezuela's CLAP food program and housing contracts, allegedly funneling billions through U.S. banks to conceal bribes.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 09:12 UTC)

Pulido has been taken into U.S. custody following an investigation by the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations, with his arrest occurring in Venezuela amid a crackdown on corruption within the state-run oil company PDVSA, led by Delcy Rodríguez. Rodríguez is currently facing pressure from elements of the ruling coalition who are urging her to resist U.S. efforts to apprehend Venezuelan insiders. It is alleged that Pulido and Saab established a network of offshore shell companies to funnel bribes to high-ranking Maduro allies in exchange for lucrative contracts to import essential goods and services.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 03:14 UTC)

Pulido is set to make his initial court appearance on Tuesday in Miami, following allegations that he exploited Venezuela's CLAP food program and housing contracts to funnel billions through U.S. banks in order to hide bribes. Last month, Saab pleaded guilty in a related bribery case, agreeing to cooperate against Maduro and others while forfeiting $195 million in criminal proceeds from the corruption scheme. This case highlights the ongoing investigations into corruption linked to Venezuela's government and its impact on U.S. financial systems.

(UPDATED October 11, 2026 20:59 UTC)

Alvaro Pulido, a businessman, has been indicted in Miami federal court for allegedly bribing Venezuelan officials, and he was taken into U.S. custody following his arrest in Venezuela as part of a crackdown on corruption within the state-run oil company PDVSA. His longtime business partner, Alex Saab, who was deported to the U.S. in May by acting President Delcy Rodríguez, is also implicated in this case, which involves a network of offshore shell companies used to funnel bribes to top Maduro allies. Pulido will make his initial court appearance in Miami, where the investigation was conducted by the DEA, FBI, and Homeland Security Investigations agencies.