AP learns that acting President Delcy Rodríguez of Venezuela has been on DEA's radar for years
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has designated Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez as a "priority target" since 2022, with investigations linking her to drug trafficking, money laundering, and corruption, though she has never been publicly charged.
- DEA intelligence dating back to 2018 alleges Rodríguez’s involvement in illicit activities, including using hotels in Isla Margarita as fronts for laundering money and connections to Maduro’s alleged bag man, Alex Saab.
- Despite these suspicions, President Trump has praised Rodríguez as a partner to stabilize Venezuela following Nicolás Maduro’s capture, reflecting a complex U.S. stance amid ongoing investigations.
- Experts and opposition figures characterize the Venezuelan government as deeply intertwined with criminal enterprises, suggesting Rodríguez’s rise to power
