The U.S. Justice Department is conducting a second criminal probe into ousted Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami and reportedly examining money-laundering allegations. The Miami investigation was active when U.S. special forces captured Maduro in January and could produce additional charges or act as a fallback if the Manhattan narcoterrorism case faces legal hurdles. Related developments include unsealed Miami money-laundering charges against Alex Saab and a planned charge against former Cuban President Raul Castro.
U.S. Opens Second Criminal Probe Into Ousted Venezuelan Leader Nicolás Maduro, Sources Say
FILE PHOTO: Captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is escorted, as he heads towards the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in Manhattan for an initial appearance to face U.S. federal charges including narco-terrorism, conspiracy, drug trafficking, money laundering and others, at Downtown Manhattan Heliport, in New York City, U.S., January 5, 2026. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo
WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - U.S. authorities are conducting a second criminal investigation into ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, according to a Justice Department official and sources familiar with the matter. The new inquiry, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami, has been active for months and could lead to additional charges.
Scope and Timing of the Miami Investigation
Sources say the Miami probe, which has examined potential money-laundering allegations, was already underway when U.S. special forces carried out the January operation that captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The two sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation remains pending.
How It Relates to the New York Case
Maduro is already indicted in Manhattan on narcoterrorism and related drug-trafficking charges; he has pleaded not guilty and is detained in a Brooklyn jail awaiting trial. Prosecutors say the Miami investigation could serve as an alternative legal avenue for the Justice Department if the New York case encounters legal obstacles.
Recent Related Actions
The same Miami U.S. Attorney's Office recently unsealed money-laundering charges against Maduro ally Alex Saab. The office is also expected to bring charges this week against former Cuban President Raul Castro related to the 1996 downing of planes flown by a Cuban exile group. Saab's arrest and deportation have been interpreted by some observers as signaling deeper cooperation between U.S. and Venezuelan authorities during the interim presidency of Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president.
A lawyer for Maduro and a Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CBS News was the first to report on the separate Florida investigation.
Reporting by Andrew Goudsward and Jana Winter; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Thomas Derpinghaus.
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