A Bloomberg report released on Monday highlights the recent extradition of businessman Álvaro Pulido Vargas to the United States, and it includes a significant mention that has sparked concern within the Chavista circles. Among those whose custody the U.S. seeks are former Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami and former Supreme Court President Maikel Moreno.
While Bloomberg does not confirm their imminent extradition, it clearly identifies them as targets of U.S. authorities as part of an escalating judicial cooperation that has intensified since the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026.
"Among those pursued by U.S. authorities are former Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami, held in Venezuela since 2024, and ex-Supreme Court President Maikel Moreno," the Bloomberg article states.
The significance of this mention lies in the context surrounding it.
Escalating Extraditions Reflect Policy Shifts
Pulido Vargas is at least the third individual extradited from Venezuela to the U.S. in 2026, and the second in October alone. Previously, in May, Venezuela handed over Alex Saab—former financial advisor and minister under Maduro—who pleaded guilty to money laundering in a Miami federal court in July.
Earlier this month, Aníbal Alexander Canelón Aguirre was extradited to face charges of bank fraud and providing material support to terrorists.
This consistent pattern of extraditions underscores the policy direction of interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who has redirected Venezuela towards U.S. priorities since replacing Maduro. Bloomberg describes these actions as "an increasing police cooperation between Caracas and Washington."
Political Framework and Extradition Obstacles
President Trump met with Rodríguez in New York in September, and the U.S. removed her from its sanction list in April 2026, acknowledging her immunity as a head of state.
The political backdrop for these extraditions is a three-phase plan outlined by Secretary of State Marco Rubio: stabilization, economic recovery, and a transition with free and multi-party elections, which the U.S. uses as a roadmap to normalize relations with Caracas in exchange for judicial cooperation and economic openness.
In this scenario, El Aissami and Moreno seem like natural candidates for extradition. The former, once a vice president and oil minister, was formally charged by the U.S. in 2019 for drug trafficking connections, with a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture, and has been in custody in Venezuela since April 2024.
The latter, who led the Supreme Court from 2017 to 2022, was accused in 2020 of money laundering and bribery to influence court decisions, with a $5 million bounty on his head.
Nevertheless, a legal hurdle persists that Caracas must navigate for each extradition: the Venezuelan Constitution prohibits extraditing its citizens. Bloomberg points out that this obstacle "raises further questions about how Caracas is proceeding with these extraditions," without any public explanation from the government regarding the legal mechanism employed.
Meanwhile, Maduro and Cilia Flores remain detained in Brooklyn, facing narcoterrorism charges and, since October 8, a new indictment for conspiracy to commit torture, underscoring that Washington's judicial pressure on the Chavista regime shows no signs of abating.
Key Questions on US Extradition Efforts
Who are Tareck El Aissami and Maikel Moreno?
Tareck El Aissami is a former Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister accused by the U.S. of drug trafficking. Maikel Moreno is a former President of Venezuela's Supreme Court, accused of money laundering and bribery.
Why is the U.S. seeking their extradition?
The U.S. seeks their extradition as part of a broader judicial cooperation with Venezuela to address charges of drug trafficking and corruption. Extraditing these individuals would mark a continued effort to dismantle criminal operations within the Chavista regime.
What challenges does Venezuela face in extraditing its citizens?
Venezuela's Constitution prohibits the extradition of its citizens, posing a legal challenge for each extradition case. The government has not publicly explained the legal process used to overcome this constitutional barrier.