Story perspectives

Trump halts Miami drug probe into Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration told Miami prosecutors to stop criminal investigations of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) records show Rodríguez has been on the agency’s radar since at least 2018 for alleged drug trafficking and money-laundering, though never charged.
Trump called Rodríguez a “terrific person” after the United States lifted sanctions and recognized her as Venezuela’s head of state.

History

Historical Context

U.S. pressure on Venezuela started in 2005 with anti-narcotics sanctions, grew with the 2008 EO 13224 and OFAC designations of officials like Hugo Carvajal. Obama’s 2015 order added visa bans on leaders including Delcy Rodríguez, and Trump’s 2017-19 oil sanctions froze PDVSA assets. By 2019 the Treasury had sanctioned at least 22 Venezuelans, a pattern that now extends to curbing investigations of Rodríguez.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration told Miami prosecutors to stop criminal investigations of acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) records show Rodríguez has been on the agency’s radar since at least 2018 for alleged drug trafficking and money-laundering, though never charged.
Trump called Rodríguez a “terrific person” after the United States lifted sanctions and recognized her as Venezuela’s head of state.

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