AP Exclusive: Trump administration tells prosecutors to stand down on Venezuela leader, sources say

Federal prosecutors in Miami were ordered to stand down from potential criminal investigations into Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, according to current and former U.S. law enforcement officials. The directive, aimed at avoiding disruptions to improving U.S.-Venezuela relations, follows DEA records indicating Rodríguez has been under scrutiny since at least 2018, though no indictments have been pursued. The Trump administration sought to stabilize ties with Venezuela after the capture of Nicolás Maduro, who now faces federal narcotics charges in New York. A Justice Department spokesperson denied any investigation was shut down, but officials confirmed prosecutors were told to pause scrutiny. The move aligns with recent U.S. sanctions relief for Rodríguez and recognition of her as Venezuela’s sole leader, facilitating re-engagement with Western banks and U.S. investors in the country’s oil sector. Trump publicly praised Rodríguez in March, calling her a ‘terrific person’ and noting progress in oil production and bilateral cooperation. The administration has hosted high-profile delegations, including U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, to discuss energy investments in Venezuela’s vast petroleum reserves. Rodríguez and her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, were previously sanctioned under Trump’s first term for allegedly undermining Venezuelan democracy. The shift in policy contrasts with past U.S. strategies, which included indictments, sanctions, and threats of military intervention, now framed as a model for influencing adversaries like Iran and Cuba. The decision to ease pressure on Rodríguez follows the lifting of U.S. sanctions in recent months, allowing her government to re-establish financial ties and attract foreign investment. Trump’s administration has framed the collaboration as mutually beneficial, emphasizing oil flows and professionalism in bilateral relations.