US reportedly warns Venezuela’s Diosdado Cabello he could be next to fall

The Trump administration has reportedly put Venezuela’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, on notice that he could be next to fall if he does not support the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, who has been in power since Nicolás Maduro was seized on Saturday, Reuters said. US officials are said to be “especially concerned” that Cabello, long seen by many as the regime’s real No 2, could sabotage Washington’s plan to keep key Maduro-era figures in place while pursuing a transition and ensuring access to Venezuelan oil.

In a post on Monday, Donald Trump said Venezuela would be “turning over” $2bn worth of crude to the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told senators the US has a three-step strategy: stabilise the country, secure fair market access for Western firms and begin reconciliation, and then move to a transition.

Cabello has posted videos appearing to show him commanding dozens of heavily armed men patrolling Caracas; he controls the police, counterintelligence agencies and the colectivos. In clips he says streets are calm, is seen meeting civilians and commanders, and appears with armed men chanting slogans that include “Always loyal, never traitors!” He wore a cap bearing the slogan at Rodríguez’s swearing-in, a gesture some interpreted as resentment at not being placed in charge and a warning that concessions to the US would be seen as betrayal of Chavismo.

Key Topics

World, Diosdado Cabello, Delcy Rodriguez, Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio