Venezuela’s government said on Saturday that it deported Alex Saab, a longtime ally of Nicolás Maduro, to face legal proceedings in the United States, marking a dramatic turn for the businessman who was pardoned by former President Joe Biden less than three years ago as part of a prisoner exchange.

The Associated Press reported that Venezuelan officials did not directly confirm Saab’s destination but said the move was tied to multiple ongoing criminal investigations in the U.S.

Saab, 54, is a Colombian-born businessman who built substantial wealth through contracts with the Venezuelan government. 

U.S. authorities have long described him as a key financial operator for Maduro’s administration.