Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president of Venezuela, has officially engaged a California-based attorney to navigate her legal and political interests in the United States. The move, detailed in a recent filing with the U.S. Department of Justice, signals a strategic effort to manage high-stakes litigation involving state assets and prepare the groundwork for a future presidential bid.
The appointment of lawyer Jihad M. Smaili marks a significant pivot in how the Venezuelan administration is handling its relationship with Washington. By registering as a foreign agent, Smaili is tasked with a multifaceted mandate that spans from courtroom battles over oil assets to daily diplomatic outreach with the highest levels of the U.S. Government.
This development comes at a volatile moment for Venezuela’s leadership. Rodríguez assumed power as the country’s acting president following the capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, by U.S. Forces, who subsequently transported him to Modern York to face narcotics trafficking charges according to official reports.
FARA Registration and Legal Mandate
According to documents filed under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), Delcy Rodríguez registered Jihad M. Smaili as her representative on April 14, 2026 per Department of Justice records. The registration, listed as file number 7715, follows an oral agreement reached between the two parties on April 11, which is expected to be formalized in writing as detailed in the FARA monitor.
Smaili’s role is divided into three primary pillars: legal defense, diplomatic lobbying, and political positioning. On the legal front, he will represent Rodríguez in current and future litigation concerning the state-owned oil company Pdvsa and its U.S. Subsidiary, Citgo, as well as various claims brought by creditors according to the registration documents.
Beyond the courtroom, Smaili is tasked with providing daily counsel on matters involving the U.S. State Department and the White House. The explicit goal of this outreach is to “strengthen and promote the relationship in benefit of the Venezuelan people” as stated in the contract.
Newsy item in this morning’s FARA Monitor: acting Venezuelan president Delcy Rodriguez has a new US attorney and lobbyist conducting White House and State Department outreach—and laying the groundwork for Rodriguez’s “future political campaign” pic.twitter.com/1dPrnR6i0p
— FARA Monitor (@faramonitor) April 15, 2026
Strategic Diplomacy and Sanctions Relief
The hiring of a Washington-based lobbyist coincides with a shifting diplomatic landscape. The administration of Donald Trump has recognized Delcy Rodríguez as the head of state of Venezuela and has restored diplomatic ties that had been severed since 2019 according to official accounts.
A critical component of Smaili’s mandate is to perform toward the lifting of U.S. Sanctions imposed on various sectors of the Venezuelan economy per the FARA filing. This effort follows the recent removal of personal sanctions against Rodríguez herself, providing a window of opportunity for the interim government to seek broader economic relief.
Under the tutelage of the Trump administration, the Rodríguez government has already initiated several domestic policy shifts. These include the implementation of an amnesty law and the opening of the hydrocarbon sector to foreign investment, moves designed to stabilize the economy and attract international capital as reported by El Nacional.
Preparing for Presidential Elections
Perhaps the most striking detail of the agreement is its focus on the “future political campaign” of Delcy Rodríguez. The contract specifically mentions her participation in the upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela according to the DOJ expediente No 7.715.
While no official date has been set for these elections, the engagement of a U.S. Lobbyist suggests that Rodríguez is seeking international legitimacy and strategic support for her candidacy. This political maneuvering occurs while prominent opposition figures remain sidelined; notably, María Corina Machado has stayed outside of Venezuela since her clandestine departure last year to receive the Nobel Peace Prize per verified reports.
Summary of Engagement Scope
| Focus Area | Key Objectives |
|---|---|
| Legal | Litigation regarding Pdvsa, Citgo, and creditor claims. |
| Diplomatic | Daily outreach to the White House and State Department. |
| Economic | Gestions for the lifting of U.S. Sanctions on key sectors. |
| Political | Support for her future presidential campaign in Venezuela. |
The transition from the Maduro era to the interim presidency of Rodríguez has been marked by a rapid shift in U.S. Policy. The current strategy of utilizing FARA-registered agents indicates a desire for a transparent, legalistic approach to rehabilitating Venezuela’s image in Washington and securing the assets necessary to fuel a potential presidential run.
The next key checkpoint for this development will be the formalization of the written contract between Rodríguez and Smaili, which is expected in the coming days following the initial oral agreement of April 11 as noted in the FARA monitor.
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