Archive · 19 Jan 2026
US Discussed Venezuela Transition with Hardline Minister Cabello
The U.S. has been talking to Diosdado Cabello, a powerful minister in Venezuela, for a long time.
They started talking even before the U.S. removed President Nicolas Maduro.
Cabello is a strong supporter of Maduro and controls many of Venezuela's security forces.
The U.S. is worried that Cabello might cause trouble during the transition to a new government.
They have warned him not to use his power to hurt the opposition.
Cabello is also under U.S. sanctions and has a big bounty on his head for alleged drug trafficking.
The U.S. is trying to make sure Venezuela stays stable while they figure out what happens next.
U.S. officials have been in discussions with Venezuelan hardline minister Diosdado Cabello for months before and after the U.S. operation to seize President Nicolas Maduro.
Cabello controls Venezuela's security services, intelligence, police, and armed forces, which remain largely intact after the U.S. raid.
The U.S. has warned Cabello against using his security apparatus to target the country's opposition.
Cabello is under U.S. sanctions and faces a $25 million bounty for alleged drug trafficking, but the U.S. has relied on him as a temporary ruler to maintain stability.
The U.S. is concerned that Cabello could disrupt the post-Maduro transition due to his history of repression and rivalry with interim President Delcy Rodriguez.
- Who
- Diosdado Cabello, Nicolas Maduro, Delcy Rodriguez, Donald Trump, U.S. officials
- What
- U.S. discussions with Venezuelan hardline minister Cabello about post-Maduro transition and sanctions
- When
- Discussions began in early Trump administration and continued post-Maduro ouster (January 3, 2024)
- Where
- Venezuela, with communications involving U.S. officials
- Why
- To control the situation inside Venezuela and prevent chaos during the transition period
- Key Figures
- Diosdado Cabello, Nicolas Maduro, Delcy Rodriguez, Donald Trump
- Cabello's Role
- Venezuela's hardline interior minister and Maduro loyalist
- U.S. Concerns
- Cabello's potential to disrupt post-Maduro transition
- U.S. Sanctions
- Cabello faces U.S. sanctions and a $25 million bounty for alleged drug trafficking
- U.S. Indictment
- Cabello is named in a U.S. drug-trafficking indictment
- Communication Timeline
- Discussions between U.S. and Cabello began in early Trump administration and continued post-Maduro ouster
- Cabello's Control
- Oversees Venezuela's security services, intelligence, police, and armed forces
- U.S. Warnings
- U.S. warned Cabello against targeting opposition with security forces