Joshua Goodman

A U.S. federal judge awarded $314 million to three Americans who alleged they were tortured while imprisoned in Venezuela, issuing a default judgment against Nicolás Maduro, Alex Saab and other officials. The lawsuit, filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, linked their kidnappings to a broader criminal operation supporting Maduro’s rule. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez was excluded from the ruling after asserting immunity. The plaintiffs described severe physical and psychological abuse during long detentions by Venezuelan military intelligence. The case is the largest of several brought by American citizens previously held in Venezuela, while related allegations remain under review by the International Criminal Court.

DEA agents allowed large quantities of fentanyl to circulate in New Mexico as part of an investigative tactic aimed at targeting major trafficking networks, leading to a sharp rise in overdose deaths. Whistleblower David Howell condemned the strategy as dangerous, while former U.S. Attorney Alex Uballez and DEA officials defended it as necessary and lawful. Records showed agents monitored specific drug shipments without seizing them, and although initial reviews flagged potential wrongdoing, a later internal assessment found no specific public health threat.

A DEA whistleblower alleges agents in New Mexico allowed large quantities of fentanyl to be delivered during investigations aimed at dismantling major trafficking networks. Records and agent accounts describe multiple monitored but unseized shipments despite the drug’s extreme lethality and Justice Department guidelines emphasizing public safety. Supporters of the strategy argue it enabled broader prosecutions amid limited resources, while critics contend it endangered communities and violated agency principles. The Office of Special Counsel initially saw potential wrongdoing but later accepted a Justice Department finding that the decisions were reasonable. The whistleblower reports retaliation, and the controversy highlights internal divisions over law‑enforcement tactics during the fentanyl crisis.

The US Justice Department is preparing a potential indictment of former Cuban president Raúl Castro for his alleged role in the 1996 shootdown of two Brothers to the Rescue aircraft. The move follows renewed efforts by prosecutors in Miami to pursue charges against senior Cuban officials and increased political pressure from Florida lawmakers. The shootdown, which killed four people, intensified US–Cuba tensions and led to passage of the Helms-Burton Act. Castro remains influential in Cuba despite his formal retirement, as US officials continue high-level contacts with Cuban representatives amid shifting geopolitical priorities.

Clarence Thomas urged Americans to approach the upcoming 250th anniversary of independence by defending their beliefs while relying on the Constitution as shared grounding amid national division. Speaking at a judicial conference, he reflected on his long tenure, upbringing in the segregated South, and judicial philosophy centered on limited government and inherent rights. He indicated no plans to retire, despite speculation that doing so could allow Donald Trump to further shape the Supreme Court. He emphasized the importance of common national principles drawn from the nation’s founding documents and echoed themes expressed by figures such as Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr.

A fatal shooting involving a stolen, weapon‑laden boat traveling from Florida toward Cuba has intensified scrutiny of anti‑Cuban government exile groups in south Florida and revived longstanding tensions between the U.S. and Cuba. Cuban authorities labeled the men aboard as terrorists, while U.S. officials questioned the account and promised an investigation. The incident has reopened debate about the history, decline and possible manipulation of armed exile organizations such as Alpha 66 and Omega 7, as well as Cuba’s efforts to infiltrate or co‑opt these groups. Relatives of the dead offered conflicting portrayals of the men, ranging from peaceful advocates to individuals consumed by a mission to free Cuba, as uncertainty persists over the circumstances surrounding the confrontation.

A DEA supervisor in the Dominican Republic, Melitón Cordero, was arrested amid a U.S. investigation into misuse of a visa program for confidential informants, prompting the abrupt closure of the DEA’s local office. The U.S. Embassy described the misconduct as a breach of public trust, while Dominican officials emphasized the matter was an internal U.S. probe. The case follows longstanding concerns about lapses in U.S. law enforcement visa programs and comes as both nations continue cooperating on counter-narcotics efforts.

US prosecutors have renewed their investigation into Alex Saab, a businessman and close former ally of Nicolás Maduro who was previously pardoned by President Biden during a prisoner swap. Authorities are examining Saab’s alleged role in a bribery scheme tied to Venezuela’s CLAP food program, a case linked to an earlier prosecution of his associate Álvaro Pulido. The scrutiny comes amid Venezuela’s recent political transition, with acting president Delcy Rodríguez having removed Saab from his former posts. Saab’s potential value as a witness is emphasized due to his past cooperation with the DEA, which could support US efforts to prosecute Maduro. Neither US nor Venezuelan officials have commented on the current inquiry, which unfolds alongside broader US efforts to address corruption within Venezuela’s leadership.

Record cocaine seizures by the US Coast Guard contrast with President Trump’s claims that interdiction at sea is ineffective as he authorizes military strikes that have destroyed suspected drug boats and killed 80 people. Critics, including experts and former counternarcotics officials, argue the strikes undermine intelligence gathering and amount to extrajudicial killings, while evidence shows many of those killed were low-paid laborers rather than cartel members. The Coast Guard continues to report historic cocaine seizures through traditional interdiction efforts, which yield arrests and intelligence at comparatively low cost. Administration claims linking the strikes to fentanyl trafficking are rejected by experts, who note cocaine, not fentanyl, is the primary drug moved by sea. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the shift, citing limited deterrent effect, while concerns persist over legality, effectiveness and humanitarian implications.

A federal judge issued an arrest warrant for former Green Beret Jordan Goudreau after he failed to appear at a hearing concerning violations of his bond conditions related to weapons-smuggling charges tied to a failed 2020 plot to overthrow Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Filmmaker Jen Gatien, who secured his bond, accused him of threats, deception, and plans to flee, supported by text messages submitted in court. Prosecutors detailed alleged attempts by Goudreau to pressure associates into providing false statements and highlighted evidence linking him to illegally exported rifles used in training camps for the planned incursion. The case unfolds amid broader tensions over U.S. policy toward Venezuela, renewed scrutiny of past regime‑change efforts, and Goudreau’s reemergence as a media figure advancing claims of sabotage by U.S. agencies.

A US federal agent attempted to recruit Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot, General Bitner Villegas, to divert the president’s plane so he could be taken into US custody. The outreach, which began in the Dominican Republic in April 2024, included promises of wealth and public acclaim and referenced a $50 million bounty tied to federal narco‑terrorism charges against Maduro. Villegas ultimately rejected the proposal, cut contact, and reaffirmed loyalty to the Venezuelan government after the meeting was exposed by an anti‑Maduro activist, prompting an unexpected return of Maduro’s plane.

A Homeland Security agent attempted to recruit Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s chief pilot to divert the leader’s aircraft so US authorities could arrest him on federal charges. The long-running effort unfolded over months of encrypted communication and followed the discovery of two Maduro-linked aircraft undergoing repairs in the Dominican Republic, leading to their eventual US seizure. Despite repeated outreach, including after the agent’s retirement and amid escalating US pressure on Maduro under President Trump, the pilot ultimately rejected the proposal. Opposition figures later attempted to sow doubt within Maduro’s inner circle by publicizing the pilot’s contact with US officials, briefly fueling speculation about his status before he reappeared on state television affirming his loyalty.

Federal prosecutors dropped charges against Miami defense attorney David Macey under a deferred prosecution agreement requiring he avoid legal violations for one year. The decision ends a years-long investigation into DEA corruption involving former agents John Costanzo and Manny Recio, who were previously convicted. Prosecutors did not explain the reversal, and the case’s collapse may relate to personnel changes and problems with a key informant now facing his own indictment. Macey acknowledged his financial dealings with Costanzo created a risk of perceived conflicts but maintained he lacked criminal intent. Additional related misconduct cases continue, including an upcoming trial for DEA task force officer Edwin Pagan.

A $1.2 billion Army contract to build and operate a large migrant detention camp at Fort Bliss has raised concerns due to the government’s lack of transparency and the selection of Acquisition Logistics, a small firm with limited experience. The Pentagon and DHS have declined to release key details as the facility begins accepting detainees, prompting complaints from competitors and scrutiny from lawmakers and advocates. The Government Accountability Office is reviewing a formal protest alleging the contractor is unqualified, while questions grow about the expanding use of military bases for immigration enforcement. Satellite imagery shows rapid construction of large tent structures, and critics warn of potential abuses and insufficient oversight as the administration accelerates efforts to expand detention capacity.

Former Venezuelan intelligence chief Hugo Carvajal pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to charges including narco-terrorism linked to a scheme to move cocaine into the United States with support from Colombian guerrillas. Extradited from Spain after years evading capture, he faces a potential sentence of 50 years to life. Carvajal's plea appears to position him for possible cooperation on matters including Venezuelan criminal networks and foreign intelligence activity. His background includes high-level ties to Hugo Chávez, a later break with Nicolás Maduro, and involvement in opposition efforts. U.S. authorities cite his role in coordinating major cocaine shipments with the FARC. Law enforcement officials expect him to spend the rest of his life in prison.

A longtime DEA informant, Jorge Hernández, was charged with conspiring to commit wire fraud for allegedly extorting major cocaine traffickers by promising reduced sentences and favorable prison conditions in exchange for large payments. Hernández, who had played a key role in major U.S. drug cases for two decades, allegedly posed as a paralegal to convince traffickers he could influence their legal outcomes, but failed to deliver on his promises. His history includes deep involvement with DEA investigations, testimony in corruption cases against former agents, and prior legal troubles involving money laundering linked to Venezuelan businessman Alex Saab. He remains in custody while serving a probation sentence set to end in 2027.

Federal immigration agents detained migrants outside courts across several major US cities as the Trump administration activated new legal tools to accelerate removals. Government attorneys were instructed to dismiss cases, allowing ICE to arrest individuals immediately as they exited courtrooms, including migrants with no criminal records or legal representation. Attorneys and advocates reported a sharp spike in detentions, raising fears that the strategy will deter migrants from attending hearings. Personal accounts from families and attorneys highlighted the suddenness of the arrests and their severe emotional and practical consequences.

Colombia applied to join the China-backed New Development Bank following President Gustavo Petro’s visit to Shanghai, where he met with bank head Dilma Rousseff. Petro committed to purchasing $512 million in shares and highlighted hopes for funding a cross-country canal or railway linking Colombia’s two coasts. The move reflects shifting geopolitical alignments in Latin America amid U.S. foreign aid cuts and tensions over China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The U.S. State Department signaled strong opposition, while Petro emphasized Colombia’s neutrality and independence in foreign policy decisions.

US immigration authorities removed hundreds of Venezuelan migrants from detention and transferred many to a maximum‑security prison in El Salvador, triggering panic among families when detainees vanished from ICE’s online locator. The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act to justify expedited deportations, alleging gang ties without presenting evidence. Many detainees had no criminal records and had complied with US immigration requirements. Families insist their relatives were wrongly accused, while the Venezuelan government condemned the transfers as kidnappings and urged protests. Relatives in the US and abroad continue to search for information on their missing loved ones.

Federal agencies are preparing for widespread lease cancellations initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency, prompting concerns about operational disruptions and reduced public services. Hundreds of offices face potential closure or relocation, with some cancellations later identified as errors. Lawmakers, agencies, and real estate stakeholders warn that the rapid pace of terminations risks increased costs, destabilized operations, and delayed services, while critics argue the process ignores established, orderly downsizing measures. Internal disputes, industry pushback, and unclear implementation timelines underscore uncertainty about the initiative’s overall impact and savings.

A Colombian customs official, Omar Ambuila, pleaded guilty in a U.S. federal court to conspiring to launder more than $1 million in drug proceeds, a case linked to wider DEA misconduct involving corrupt agents and informants. The investigation exposed luxury purchases tied to illicit funds and connections to Diego Marin, a longtime DEA informant accused of contraband smuggling. Testimony from jailed former DEA agent Jose Irizarry highlighted systemic abuses within Attorney General Exempted Operations used to launder cartel money. Ambuila faces up to 20 years in prison, with his plea disrupting a trial expected to further reveal DEA operational failures and corruption.