The Trump administration has instructed federal prosecutors in Miami to avoid pursuing criminal investigations into Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez, according to current and former U.S. law enforcement officials.
Rodríguez has long appeared in U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration intelligence files but has never been criminally charged in the United States.
The pause comes alongside a broader slowdown of federal scrutiny involving other Latin American leaders, including Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who had previously been designated a “priority target” in DEA investigations. U.S. officials have recently indicated Petro does not face charges in related cases.
Officials familiar with the matter said the directive is tied to efforts to stabilize relations with Venezuela following political changes involving Nicolás Maduro. One former official said, “Everybody has been told to stand down,” as Washington seeks to manage diplomatic and economic engagement with the current leadership.
