Nicolás Maduro's arrest on U.S. narcoterrorism charges marks a dramatic turning point for Venezuela — but does it signal the dismantling of a narco-state, or merely a change in leadership? With Vice President Delcy Rodríguez now apparently acquiescing to Trump administration demands, critical questions emerge about the future of Venezuela's criminal apparatus.
For years, investigative journalists documented how the "Cartel of the Suns" embedded drug trafficking within Venezuela's military and government, and how criminal organizations like Tren de Aragua expanded their reach across the hemisphere. These investigations revealed networks that transcend any single leader. Now, as Venezuela's political landscape shifts, what becomes of these deeply entrenched structures?
This briefing examines whether Maduro's downfall will disrupt or merely reshape Venezuela's criminal state. Our expert panel — OCCRP's Nathan Jaccard, Valentina Lares Martiz from Venezuelan outlet Armando.Info, and Steven Dudley of InSight Crime — will analyze the continuity and evolution of these networks, the implications for regional security and financial crime, and what compliance professionals should anticipate as power dynamics shift in Caracas.
