Following the recent, and largely unexpected, capture of Venezuelan President nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia flores by U.S. special forces in Caracas, the Trump governance is working to secure a stable transition of power. A key element of that effort involves direct appeals to Diosdado Cabello, a powerful and controversial figure within the ruling socialist party, to support the interim government led by Delcy Rodríguez. The move comes as Washington navigates a delicate political landscape complex by existing rivalries and U.S.drug trafficking indictments against Cabello and other key players.
The United States has warned Diosdado Cabello, a powerful figure in Venezuela’s ruling socialist party, that he could face a similar fate to former President Nicolás Maduro if he does not support the interim government of Delcy Rodríguez, Reuters reported Tuesday. The move comes after Maduro’s recent capture by U.S. special forces in Caracas, along with First Lady Cilia Flores.
Washington wants Cabello, considered a key hardliner within the Chavista movement, to help Rodríguez maintain order during the transition period. U.S. officials view Cabello as a potential destabilizing force capable of inciting chaos. The warning underscores the U.S. government’s determination to ensure a smooth transfer of power in Venezuela.
Cabello, who previously held the No. 2 position in the Maduro regime, controls Venezuela’s security forces and civilian motorcycle gangs, often used to intimidate the population. He publicly appeared in the streets shortly after Maduro’s capture, wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest and surrounded by armed police and military personnel.
According to a source close to the U.S. administration, the Trump administration believes Cabello is one of the few remaining loyalists to Maduro who could help maintain stability as a temporary leader. Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, another prominent figure within the Chavista hardline faction, is also on that list. Both Cabello and Padrino are facing U.S. accusations of drug trafficking, with bounties offered for their capture: $25 million for Padrino and $15 million for Cabello.
U.S. officials have communicated this information directly to Cabello. The move reflects a history between Cabello and the late Hugo Chávez, who considered him a potential successor before ultimately choosing Maduro in 2013. Some speculated at the time that the rivalry between the two men could jeopardize the socialist project.
However, sources familiar with the inner workings of the Venezuelan government say Cabello and Maduro successfully cooperated to maintain power despite facing challenges to their legitimacy, accusations of authoritarianism, and human rights concerns. That alliance has now fractured, with Delcy Rodríguez, along with her brother Jorge, the president of the National Assembly, emerging as the dominant figures.
Reuters reports that the U.S. is concerned about the Rodríguez siblings’ rise to power, given their long-standing rivalry with Cabello. The situation has prompted the Trump administration to seek assurances of stability from key players like Cabello.
President Trump has stated that Venezuela will deliver between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil at market prices, with the funds to be managed by the U.S. president “for the benefit of the people of Venezuela and the United States.”
