“I have to admit that Alex has become a friend. He is very genuine, a good successful businessman.”
That’s how Gaston Browne once described Alex Saab, who just pleaded guilty to money laundering and is cooperating with U.S. authorities.
This development certainly spells trouble for former Venezuelan cartel leader Nicolás Maduro and, potentially, for Browne.
Saab’s danger to Maduro is well known. Here’s why Browne is exposed:
The potential implications stem more from Browne’s past associations with Saab and the broader financial ecosystem Saab operated within.
• The diplomatic passport and envoy position. In 2014, shortly after taking office, Browne’s administration appointed Saab as an economic envoy to Venezuela and granted him an Antiguan diplomatic passport. This connection alone has drawn intense scrutiny, especially since the factory Saab promised to build in Antigua never materialized.
• Exposure of financial networks. Saab’s cooperation with U.S. authorities could expose the complex network of offshore banks, shell companies, and service providers used to evade sanctions and launder money. If these investigations trace illicit funds through Antiguan institutions or reveal that officials facilitated these activities, the legal and reputational risks for Browne and Antigua and Barbuda would be severe.
• Existing vulnerabilities. Browne’s administration is already under the microscope regarding other financial controversies, such as the sale of the Russian-linked superyacht Alfa Nero, which has involved U.S. subpoenas seeking financial records of Browne and his family. Saab’s revelations could potentially intersect with these existing pressure points, further complicating Browne’s position.
While there are currently no unsealed U.S. indictments against Browne related to Saab, Saab’s insider knowledge and willingness to cooperate make this a precarious time for the Antiguan Prime Minister.
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