WASHINGTON (AP) — President Trump has described Delcy Rodríguez, acting president of Venezuela, as a key ally in the nation’s efforts to stabilize amid ongoing drug trafficking issues. However, her past connections to the drug world have raised eyebrows.
Rodríguez has been monitored by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for years, with records indicating she was named a priority target in 2022 due to her perceived impact on the drug trade.
Her tenure as vice president, which began in 2018, overlaps with a slew of DEA investigations into her activities that include suspected drug trafficking and money laundering operations, particularly involving hotels in the Caribbean.
Notably, after Trump's announcement of Nicolás Maduro's capture, he has openly supported Rodríguez, portraying her as a trustworthy leader. Nevertheless, she has been linked to Alex Saab, the alleged financier behind Maduro's regime, raising further concerns about her credibility.
Despite no formal accusations from the U.S. against Rodríguez, the intensity of the investigations underscores a complicated relationship as the U.S. seeks to navigate its dealings with a regime steeped in allegations of criminal activity.
The DEA's files highlight Rodríguez's rising profile within the Venezuelan government to executive positions, yet critics point to her troubled involvement in a regime that the U.S. condemns as corrupt.
Moreover, former officials emphasize that merely holding a leadership position in such a corrupt environment could justify the scrutiny that Rodríguez faces from U.S. authorities.
As the Venezuelan political landscape continues to evolve, the precise role Rodríguez might play in a post-Maduro environment remains uncertain amid the ongoing drug and corruption investigations.
