One of President Nicolás Maduro's closest aides has been extradited from Cape Verde to the United States, where he's been charged with money laundering.
The US Treasury says Alex Saab worked as a front man for Mr Maduro's regime.
The Venezuelan government suspended talks soon afterwards with the US-backed opposition.
The talks were to resolve a political crisis that has led to violence and the collapse of the economy.
The discussions had been due to resume this weekend in Mexico.
The US Treasury accuses Mr Saab - a Colombian-born businessman and Venezuelan envoy - of using his accounts in American banks to launder the proceeds of corruption.
Colombian President Ivan Duque tweeted that Mr Saab's extradition was "a triumph in the fight against drug trafficking, money laundering and corruption by the dictatorship of Nicolas Maduro".
More info: It seems this Saab guy is the responsible for the Iranian infiltration in south america, which comes along with shipments of weapons and fuel.