What's happened
Venezuelan officials warn Diosdado Cabello against using security forces to target opposition amid ongoing political instability. Cabello, named in a US drug-trafficking indictment, remains influential. President Rodriguez consolidates power, appointing new security heads, amid US-Venezuela tensions following Maduro's capture.
What's behind the headline?
The US-Venezuela dynamic is deeply complex, with US officials maintaining covert communications with Cabello despite his indictment and sanctions. This suggests a strategic calculus where Cabello's influence is seen as both a threat and a potential asset for US interests. Rodriguez's efforts to reform security agencies and install loyalists indicate her recognition that internal stability hinges on controlling powerful military and intelligence factions. The appointment of Major General Gustavo Gonzalez as head of DGCIM signals her attempt to curb Cabello's influence, but the entrenched loyalty of pro-Cabello factions within security services poses a significant challenge. The broader geopolitical context underscores a delicate balance: US efforts to influence Venezuela's transition are intertwined with internal power struggles, risking further chaos if factions clash. The story foreshadows continued instability, with Cabello's potential to unleash repression or chaos if he chooses to oppose Rodriguez openly. The next phase will likely see intensified internal conflicts, with Rodriguez's reforms tested against Cabello's loyalist networks, shaping Venezuela's political future.
What the papers say
The Japan Times reports that Cabello has been warned by officials against using security forces to target opposition, highlighting the ongoing US-Venezuela tensions. The NY Post emphasizes Cabello's longstanding influence and US sanctions, noting his potential to disrupt the fragile political transition. Reuters details Rodriguez's strategic appointments to counter Cabello's power, including the head of DGCIM, and underscores the internal fault lines within Venezuela's security apparatus. The New York Times provides context on Rodriguez's exile and her efforts to stabilize the government, illustrating the broader political struggle at play. These sources collectively reveal a tense, multi-layered power struggle driven by US interests, internal loyalties, and the legacy of Maduro's regime.
How we got here
Following the US raid that captured Maduro, Venezuela's security apparatus remains largely intact, with key figures like Cabello and Rodriguez vying for influence. Cabello, under US sanctions and indicted for drug trafficking, has maintained communication with the US government, which seeks to prevent him from destabilizing the fragile political environment. Rodriguez, now in power, is working to consolidate her authority by restructuring military and intelligence agencies, while facing internal threats from Cabello's loyalists and pro-government militias.
Go deeper
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Diosdado Cabello Rondón is a Venezuelan politician and current member of the National Assembly of Venezuela, where he previously served as Speaker. He is also an active member of the Venezuelan armed forces, with the rank of captain.
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Nicolás Maduro Moros is a Venezuelan politician serving as president of Venezuela since 2013. His presidency has been disputed by Juan Guaidó since January 2019, although Maduro is the real president.