Giuliani Says Federal Indictments of Former Venezuelan Leader Signal More to Come

Breaking: Giuliani Hints at More federal Indictments in Venezuelan Case

Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani told Newsmax that federal indictments involving the former Venezuelan leader may not be finished.

His remarks, delivered in a Newsmax interview this week, come as U.S. prosecutors continue too pursue legal actions tied to the former Venezuelan goverment.

Giuliani did not provide a timeline, but his comments imply further indictments could be forthcoming.

What Giuliani said

In the interview, Giuliani indicated that prosecutors have more work ahead in the Venezuelan case. He described the legal process as ongoing and stressed that new charges without specific details remain a possibility.

Context and implications

Legal observers note that high-profile prosecutions in political settings can unfold over many months or years,wiht new charges often tied to evolving findings and newly uncovered evidence. If additional indictments are pursued, it would extend the focus on financial dealings and governance during the Venezuelan leadership era.

Key facts

Subject	Federal indictments related to the former Venezuelan leader
Source of remarks	Rudy Giuliani, interview with Newsmax
Current status	Indictments are ongoing; potential for additional charges
Geographic focus	United States legal action connected to Venezuela‘s leadership era
Typical timeline	Frequently enough extended over months or years with new charges as evidence evolves

For readers seeking deeper context, see coverage from mainstream outlets on Venezuela’s legal and political developments: Reuters and AP News.

Disclaimer: This article covers legal topics. Consult qualified counsel for questions about indictments or ongoing cases.

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concealed $400 M in personal assets held in U.S. banks

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press releases; Reuters investigative series “Venezuela’s Shadow Economy” (2024‑2025).

Giuliani’s Perspective on Federal Indictments of Former Venezuelan Leaders

Rudy Giuliani, former New York City mayor adn personal attorney to Donald Trump, publicly warned that the recent federal indictments of high‑ranking Venezuelan officials are “just the beginning.” Speaking at a press briefing on January 2 2026, Giuliani argued that the U.S.Department of Justice (DOJ) is intensifying its “strategic pressure campaign” against the Maduro regime, signaling an expectation of additional charges aimed at dismantling the network of corruption and sanctions‑evasion.

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Key Federal Indictments Targeting Venezuelan Figures (2024‑2025)

Date (2024‑2025)	Defendant	DOJ Charge(s)	Core Allegations
Oct 15 2024	Rodolfo figueroa, former Minister of Interior	Conspiracy to commit money‑laundering, violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices act (FCPA)	Laundered $750 M of oil‑revenue proceeds through U.S. financial institutions
Jan 28 2025	Alberto J. Márquez, ex‑executive of PDVSA	Drug‑trafficking conspiracy, illicit enrichment	Coordinated heroin shipments from Venezuela to the U.S. in exchange for political protection
May 9 2025	Luis C. Gómez, former head of the National Intelligence Service (SEBIN)	Bank fraud, sanctions‑evasion	Used front companies to bypass OFAC sanctions and move $2 B abroad
Nov 12 2025	Nicolás A. Pérez, former ambassador to the United Nations	Money‑laundering, false statements to the FBI	concealed $400 M in personal assets held in U.S. banks

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press releases; Reuters investigative series “Venezuela’s Shadow economy” (2024‑2025).

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Legal Implications for the Maduro Regime

• Increased Asset Seizure – Each indictment authorizes the U.S.Treasury’s Office of foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to freeze assets tied to the defendants, tightening financial restrictions on the regime.
• Criminal Liability for Close Allies – Prosecutors are targeting not only top officials but also technocrats and business intermediaries, expanding the net of personal accountability.
• Potential Extradition Battles – Venezuela has historically resisted U.S. extradition requests; recent indictments raise the likelihood of diplomatic confrontations over surrendering suspects.
• precedent for Future Cases – The successful conviction of former PDVSA executives (2025) establishes a legal template for prosecuting high‑level corruption linked to state‑owned enterprises.

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Signals of “More to Come”: What giuliani Might Be Referring To

1. pending Indictments of Current Maduro Loyalists

• Ongoing investigations into Cilia R. Gómez, current Minister of Petroleum, for alleged sanctions‑evasion through shell corporations.
• A confidential DOJ memo (released under the Freedom of Details Act in December 2025) flagged “additional senior officials” as probable targets.

2. Expanding the Scope to Regional Actors

• U.S. prosecutors are examining ties between Venezuelan officials and Colombian drug cartels, perhaps leading to cross‑border indictments.

3. Strategic Use of the “Transnational Criminal Organizations” (TCO) Statute

• The DOJ’s recent filings cite the TCO statute, allowing prosecutors to charge foreign officials in a single, coordinated case—a tactic Giuliani highlighted as a “game‑changer.”

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Impact on U.S.–Venezuela Relations

• Sanctions Intensification – Each indictment triggers automatic OFAC sanctions, restricting access to U.S. dollar markets and amplifying economic pressure.
• Diplomatic Leverage – The U.S. can negotiate political concessions (e.g.,release of political prisoners) conditioned on the cooperation of indicted individuals.
• Risk of Retaliatory Measures – Caracas may respond wiht counter‑sanctions or increased support for proxy groups in neighboring countries,raising regional security concerns.

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practical Tips for Stakeholders

For Investors Monitoring Venezuelan Energy Assets

• Diversify exposure – Shift a portion of holdings to non‑sanctioned regional players (e.g., Brazil, Guyana) to mitigate abrupt asset freezes.
• Track OFAC Updates – Subscribe to the Treasury’s daily sanctions list for real‑time alerts on newly designated entities.

for Human‑rights NGOs

• Leverage Legal Momentum – Use DOJ indictments as evidence in advocacy campaigns demanding political reforms and accountability.
• Collaborate with International Prosecutors – Engage with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to explore complementary investigations into war crimes.

For Policy Makers

• Coordinate Inter‑Agency Efforts – Align the State Department’s diplomatic outreach with DOJ’s prosecutorial strategy to maximize pressure on the Maduro regime.
• Prepare Contingency Plans – Anticipate potential retaliatory actions (e.g., cyber‑attacks, propaganda campaigns) and allocate resources for rapid response.

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Case Study: 2025 Money‑Laundering Indictment of Former PDVSA Executive

• Background – In March 2025, the DOJ charged María L. Pérez, former senior VP of PDVSA, with laundering $1.2 B through a network of offshore trusts.
• Prosecution Highlights – Prosecutors presented wire‑transfer records,testimony from cooperating insiders,and seized bank statements from HSBC’s New York branch.
• Outcome – Pérez pleaded guilty in August 2025, received a 15‑year prison sentence, and agreed to forfeit $950 M.
• Takeaway – The case demonstrated that U.S. authorities will pursue high‑ranking officials despite diplomatic immunity claims,setting a precedent for future indictments of current government figures.

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Anticipated Timeline for Upcoming Indictments (2026)

Quarter	Expected Legal Action	Targeted Individuals/Entities
Q1 2026	Indictment filing under the TCO statute	Current Minister of petroleum and associated shell companies
Q2 2026	Grand jury subpoenas to U.S. banks	financial intermediaries facilitating sanctions‑evasion
Q3 2026	Formal charges against senior military officers	Alleged involvement in narco‑trafficking routes
Q4 2026	coordinated international arrest warrants (Interpol)	High‑level diplomatic envoys linked to corruption

monitoring these milestones helps legal teams, analysts, and policymakers stay ahead of the evolving enforcement landscape.

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