Joshua Goodman

The Associated Press, ex Latin America correspondent based in Miami, a city settled by my fellow Clevelanders

Tips via Signal: 786-643-1883 or [email protected]

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Even as it battled the deadliest drug epidemic in U.S. history, the DEA permitted hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills to hit the streets of New Mexico from 2023-25, according to current and former agents and DEA records reviewed by AP.

W/ @JimMustian
https://t.co/BzF2CRKg8G

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Judge Damian condemned ex Rep. Rivera for betraying his life’s work, saying he would have been judged harshly by Miami exiles had he taken millions from Cuba's communist regime instead of its allies in Caracas.

“I don’t think this is different” she said.
https://t.co/WoGaaqhVYH

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Trump drops Venezuela from U.S. blacklist of countries not doing enough to fight drug trafficking.

Says Colombia, under @AbelardoPTE, is "poised to resume its place as [U.S.'] foremost partner" in drug war but Mexico must do "far more," including attacking public corruption!!!

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Will Alex Saab testify against Maduro?

In pleading guilty Tuesday, Saab said the corruption scheme “had the approval, participation and protection" of Venezuela's highest authorities, including an individual described only as “Government Official 1A."

https://t.co/OHfiROz2FE

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Alex Saab is scheduled to appear before Judge Kathleen Williams in Miami on Tuesday to plead guilty.

The details of the plea were not immediately known but Saab faces a single count of money laundering.
https://t.co/kpXGxezr8M

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Venezuelan First Lady Cilia Flores seeks pre-trial release due to several medical, cardiac conditions.

NY-based @GuidepostGlobal would provide armed security and 24-hour monitoring as part of the proposed bail deal, according to Guidepost exec and ex DEA #2 Louis Milione.

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

NEW: @GOPoversight launches investigation of DEA’s fentanyl walking

“Not to intercept significant shipments is unconscionable and undoubtedly resulted in considerable harm and lives lost”

W/ @JimMustian https://t.co/b3jNDG4Ihh

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

House Republicans have launched an investigation into allegations the DEA allowed huge volumes of fentanyl to ‘walk’ to build bigger cases.

The probe comes after New Mexico sued as part of their probe of the controversial policing tactic.

W @JimMustian
https://t.co/b3jNDG4Ihh

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Among Joan Rubinger’s star clients was longtime Panthers LB Thomas Davis, who swore by her pain-relief miracle cream “The Goo”

The DEA said the nurse practitioner prescribed Davis more than 13,000 pain pills from 2019-2024.
@JimMustian @epells
https://t.co/uj79YcA64d

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Joan Rubinger treated some of the biggest names in sports.

Behind the scenes, the DEA alleges, the nurse practitioner prescribed tens of thousands of painkillers and coached clients on how to avoid detection.

w/ @JimMustian @epells
https://t.co/uj79YcA64d

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Co-defendant of ex GOP Congressman David Rivera sentenced to 5 years in prison for role in secret, $50 million lobbying campaign paid by Venezuela’s government.

Local officials, friends packed Miami courtroom as political consultant Esther Nuhfer was read the verdict.

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

NEW: DOJ watchdog launches probe of fentanyl "walking" in wake of @AP investigation, seeking to determine whether DEA allowed the deadly drug to hit the streets of cities other than Albuquerque w/

w/ @JimMustian

https://t.co/kJJg9m0uJs

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Co-defendant for Jordan Goudreau seeks to depose Trump in criminal case over 2019 Venezuela raid.

In a longshot motion to subpoena Trump, Alvarez argues @POTUS can bolster her defense that the White House secretly OK'd the harebrained raid — or that she honestly believed it had.

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Trump administration intervenes in lawsuit to shield acting President @delcyrodriguezv from having to pay $314 million judgement awarded to three Americans imprisoned in Venezuela.

In filing, DoJ argues Rodriguez enjoys head of state immunity.

Context: https://t.co/pd3vYTIkC9

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

The $314 million default judgement is the largest to date amid a slew of lawsuits filed by Americans imprisoned in Venezuela.

Acting president Rodriguez was not affected after lawyers for her appeared in April seeking to dismiss the complaint.
https://t.co/pd3vYTIkC9

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

“This is a stunning failure by the federal government,” @GovMLG says in strongest response yet to AP reporting showing that the DEA allowed hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pill to hit the streets to build bigger cases. “It’s disgusting.”

W/ @JimMustian
https://t.co/uadZZGMuDD

[Jim Mustian @JimMustian]

The New Mexico attorney general has opened a criminal investigation into the DEA

He is demanding agency records to determine whether agents' fentanyl walking in Albuquerque reflects a "broader pattern of reckless or unlawful behavior" nationally

Latest⬇️
https://t.co/Yt2VJ7m73h

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

A federal judge blocked at the 11th hour a plan to loosen rules for fishing red snapper in the Atlantic.

The dispute highlights tensions over science and the Trump administration's rollback of environmental regulations. w/ @shelby_lum @helenwieffering
https://t.co/frGw9M35gY

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

NEW: The Trump administration has quietly instructed prosecutors in Miami to avoid criminally investigating Venezuela’s acting President @delcyrodriguezv, a longtime target of the DEA, in the latest sign of warming relations with the oil-rich nation.
https://t.co/mSX5PFUMBC

[Joshua Goodman @APjoshgoodman]

Guy Lewis, who was a federal prosecutor in the 1990s, uncovered evidence linking senior Cuban officials to cocaine trafficking.

After the shootdown, the investigation expanded and charges pursued against Castro for leading a vast racketeering conspiracy.
https://t.co/IaM2xdrxeS