The Trump administration is quietly building a legal case against Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodriguez, including drafting money laundering and corruption charges linked to state oil company PDVSA, according to four sources. Federal prosecutors in Miami have communicated threats of prosecution to Rodriguez unless she complies with U.S. demands following January's ouster of President Nicolas Maduro. The indictment, evolving over two months, focuses on alleged laundering of funds from PDVSA between 2021 and 2025, though no formal charges have been filed.

Rodriguez, a 56-year-old former vice president, has faced mounting pressure since Maduro's capture during a U.S. special forces raid. She now navigates threats to arrest or detain at least seven high-profile figures, including ex-Maduro ally Alex Saab, who faces separate U.S. charges for routing $350 million through American banks. The Justice Department declined comment, while Rodriguez's office did not respond to queries.

This escalation follows public praise from Trump for Rodriguez's cooperation, highlighting the U.S. strategy of leveraging legal threats to reshape Venezuela's post-Maduro governance.