Even as the U.S. government publicly sought the removal of Venezuelan President nicolás Maduro, a back channel of communication was maintained with a key figure within the ruling management-Minister of Interior Diosdado Cabello. These previously undisclosed discussions, confirmed by multiple sources, reveal a complex and ongoing effort by the Trump administration to manage the escalating political crisis in Venezuela, a nation already burdened by widespread economic hardship and a legitimacy dispute over its leadership [[1]]. The dialog underscores the delicate diplomatic maneuvering occurring alongside more overt actions, as Washington attempts to navigate a path toward stability in the region amid concerns of further unrest and potential humanitarian fallout [[3]].
Months before the U.S. attempted to remove Nicolás Maduro from power, officials from the Trump administration engaged in direct communication with a key figure within the Venezuelan government: Diosdado Cabello, the country’s Minister of Interior. The ongoing dialogue, revealed by multiple sources, highlights the complex and previously undisclosed efforts undertaken by Washington to navigate the political crisis in Venezuela, a nation grappling with economic collapse and a contested presidential claim.
According to four sources familiar with the discussions, U.S. officials cautioned Cabello against utilizing Venezuelan security forces or pro-government militants to suppress opposition groups. This security apparatus – encompassing intelligence services, police, and the military – remains largely intact despite the U.S. operation launched on January 3.
The communication with Cabello began in the early days of the Trump administration and continued in the weeks leading up to the U.S. push to oust Maduro, two sources said. The conversations also addressed U.S. sanctions and the criminal charges leveled against Cabello himself, who is named in the same narcotics trafficking indictment used to justify the attempt to arrest Maduro. He was not, however, taken into custody during the operation.
Following the U.S. effort to dislodge Maduro, contact between the Trump administration and Cabello has continued, four sources confirmed. These previously unreported communications are considered crucial to the administration’s strategy for managing the volatile situation in Venezuela.
One source informed about U.S. concerns explained that deploying forces under his control could potentially escalate the situation, leading to chaos that President Trump has sought to avoid. Such a move could also threaten the authority of Delcy Rodríguez, the interim president. The development underscores the delicate balance the U.S. is attempting to maintain as it seeks to influence the outcome of the Venezuelan political standoff.
As of yet, neither the White House nor the Venezuelan government has issued a statement regarding these communications.
