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

Published 27 May 2026 · world

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Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share MIAMI (AP) — The Trump administration has quietly instructed federal prosecutors in Miami to avoid pursuing criminal investigations into Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime target of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to current and former U.S. law enforcement officials, in the latest sign of warming relations between the White House and the oil-rich nation. It’s unclear whether prosecutors had implicated Rodríguez in any crimes or whether investigators were moving toward an indictment. A Justice Department spokesperson said in an email “there was never an investigation into her to shut down.” But DEA records obtained by The Associated Press earlier this year show she consistently surfaced on the radar of federal law enforcement dating to at least 2018, though she has never been criminally charged in the U.S. like several other senior Venezuelan officials. The directive to pause scrutiny into Rodríguez was meant to avoid upsetting the administration’s efforts to stabilize Venezuela after the capture of her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, among other reasons, a current official said. It was not clear whether the White House, which deferred comment to the Justice Department, was involved in the decision. “Everybody has been told to stand down,” one of the former officials said. The former officials, who had been briefed on the development, as well as the current official all spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss internal deliberations. Rodríguez, a U.S. attorney representing her, and the Venezuelan Communications Ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment. Read More The move eases pressure on Rodriguez Removing the threat of potential indictment, even temporarily, eases pressure on Rodríguez as the Trump administration seeks to work with the acting leader to stabilize Venezuela after Maduro’s ouster and open the country to U.S. investment. President Donald Trump praised Rodríguez as a “terrific person” shortly after the U.S. military took Maduro and his wife to New York to face federal narcotics charges. Both have pleaded not guilty. Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez bids farewell to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright after their meeting at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File) Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez bids farewell to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright after their meeting at Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, on Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google.