Maduro’s Sudden Fall Sparks Intrigue Over Betrayal Within Venezuela’s Ruling Elite
CARACAS, Venezuela — The unexpected removal and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces has sent shockwaves through the country’s political landscape, igniting speculation that betrayal from within his inner circle may have paved the way for the operation. As Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are transported under U.S. custody to New York to face serious criminal charges, Venezuela stands on the precipice of a dangerous and uncertain power struggle.
Maduro’s grip on power had been steadily weakening amid widespread domestic discontent, a $50 million bounty on his head, and a disputed 2024 election widely condemned by the international community. Yet the swiftness and apparent ease of the U.S. military operation — reportedly involving over 150 aircraft and lasting just three hours — has raised eyebrows about the loyalty of key figures within Venezuela’s ruling elite.
Central to the intrigue are Diosdado Cabello, the minister of interior, justice and peace, and Vladimir Padrino López, the long-serving defense minister who commands the Venezuelan Armed Forces. Both men swiftly condemned the U.S. strikes, with López denouncing what he called “criminal military aggression” and invoking the rhetoric of the late Hugo Chávez, Venezuela’s former president. In a video message shared on social media, López decried the “invasion” as an act driven by “insatiable greed for our strategic resources.”
Despite their public denunciations, the Venezuelan military offered no visible resistance during the strikes, fueling speculation that elements within the armed forces may have tacitly allowed the operation to succeed. Cabello, often regarded as Maduro’s closest political ally and potential successor, now emerges as a pivotal figure in the unfolding drama. Observers are left questioning whether he and López will rally remaining loyalists to fight for control or seek exile abroad.
Analysts note that Maduro’s downfall underscores deep fractures within the Chavista movement and Venezuela’s power structure. Jorge Jraissati, head of the Economic Inclusion Group, hailed the U.S. action as a possible turning point, stating, “If everything goes well, this could open a new era of peace in Venezuela. For too long, Maduro has been a cancer for Venezuela and the region.”
The operation’s legal and political ramifications are already reverberating globally. The U.S. Department of State has emphasized the rule of law in pursuing Maduro on charges related to weapons trafficking and narcotics. Meanwhile, the Department of Defense provided details on the precision and scale of the military strikes that facilitated the capture.
International reactions have been mixed, with some world leaders condemning the U.S. intervention as a violation of sovereignty, while others view it as a necessary step to end Maduro’s authoritarian regime. As the U.S. prepares to prosecute Maduro, the Department of Justice is expected to lead the legal proceedings that could become a landmark case in international criminal justice.
Within Venezuela, the vacuum left by Maduro’s removal threatens to unleash a volatile contest for power. The military’s role will be critical in determining whether stability can be restored or if the country will descend further into chaos. The coming days will reveal whether Cabello and Padrino López will consolidate control or fracture under pressure.
For now, Venezuelans and the international community alike watch closely, aware that the fate of the nation hangs in the balance amid this unprecedented upheaval.
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