The Trump administration has demanded cooperation from Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez regarding U.S. Justice Department investigations into nine individuals linked to the Chavista structure. Washington identifies these individuals as key figures in cases involving corruption, money laundering, and drug trafficking, according to a source familiar with the conversations.
U.S. Demands Extend Beyond Maduro and Flores
The request goes beyond simply capturing Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores. The U.S. Has presented Rodríguez with a list of nine individuals of interest, selected for their evidentiary value and ability to reconstruct a network of contracts, money laundering, and political protection allegedly connected to the former Maduro regime. The U.S. Proposes a three-tiered exchange: access for interviews and documentation, potential U.S. Oversight of verification efforts, and, if politically feasible, formulas for transfer or delivery – carefully avoiding the word “extradition.”
Cooperation as a Condition for Normalization
The list, while not public or presented as an ultimatum, functions as one. Rodríguez is receiving the list as a condition for normalization, which includes recognition of the U.S. Diplomatic mission in Caracas, selective unblocking of assets, operational permits, and an energy agenda. In return, Washington demands progress on specific individuals and cases, measuring any agreement in verifiable acts like interrogations, documentation, and asset freezes.
Key Figures Identified
Alex Saab, recently interrogated, and Raúl Gorrín are central to the U.S. Investigation. Saab is described as knowing “where the money is and how it moved,” having served as a minister, intermediary, and link to the political core of the Maduro regime. The Department of Justice is also reviewing a potential bribery conspiracy linked to inflated food import prices. Gorrín is considered key to understanding the control of currency exchange and alleged schemes to launder money.
Also on the list are Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, son of Maduro; Walter Jacob Gavidia Flores, Maduro’s stepson; Tareck El Aissami and Samark López Bello, both previously detained in Venezuela; and Pedro Luis Martín-Olivares, a former intelligence official. Two other high-ranking officials are also under investigation, but their identities have not been revealed.
What Could Happen Next
If Rodríguez cooperates and provides verifiable progress on the listed individuals, the U.S. Could offer concessions, such as easing sanctions or restoring diplomatic ties. However, if cooperation is lacking, the U.S. May resume pressure tactics. The situation remains fluid, and the outcome will likely depend on Rodríguez’s ability to balance the demands of the U.S. With the internal political dynamics within Venezuela.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the U.S. Seeking from Delcy Rodríguez?
The U.S. Is seeking cooperation with investigations into nine individuals linked to the Chavista structure, focusing on cases of corruption, money laundering, and drug trafficking.
Is extradition a possibility?
The U.S. Is avoiding the use of the word “extradition” due to Venezuela’s constitutional prohibition against extraditing its nationals, but is exploring alternatives like transfers or deliveries.
Who are some of the key individuals the U.S. Is interested in?
Alex Saab and Raúl Gorrín are considered particularly valuable sources of information, while Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra and Walter Jacob Gavidia Flores are also on the list due to their potential access to assets and networks.
How will the U.S. Measure success in this endeavor?
