In the dramatic hours after Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s capture by U.S. forces, attention has shifted to the fate of Maduro’s inner circle, in other words, his closest political and military allies — including Diosdado Cabello, Delcy Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez, and Vladimir Padrino Lopez — as the country grapples with a sudden leadership vacuum and deepening crisis, The Guardian reports.
According to Reuters, although U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained and flown out of Venezuela — with plans to face federal charges in New York — Venezuelan authorities claim they do not yet know the couple’s exact location and have demanded proof of life from the U.S. government.
Meanwhile, key figures from Maduro’s regime have re-emerged publicly, reinforcing their influence and preparing for what could become a fierce struggle for control of Venezuela’s political and military apparatus.
Diosdado Cabello: Rallying support and staying in Venezuela
One of the central figures of the former regime, Diosdado Cabello, widely considered Maduro’s “number two,” has taken a visible role since the capture. As interior minister and a longtime leader of the ruling PSUV party, Cabello called on pro-government colectivos and supporters to mobilize and maintain order in the streets of Caracas and across the country.
In speeches broadcast over state media, Cabello described the U.S. military action as a “criminal attack” and urged citizens not to panic or “facilitate the enemy.” He insisted that Venezuelan security forces, militias, and police were unified in defending the nation from what he called “terrorist aggression.”
Even as tensions mount, there are no verified reports that Cabello has been detained or fled Venezuela. For now, he remains a linchpin of the regime’s efforts to project control and continuity — though international pressure and legal exposure could follow. Prior U.S. sanctions and arrest warrants have targeted Cabello and other officials for corruption and human rights abuses, raising the possibility of future legal risks abroad.
Delcy and Jorge Rodriguez: abroad and at home, respectively
According to Reuters, Delcy Rodriguez, the controversial vice president of Venezuela, is believed to be outside the country — reportedly in Russia — amid the unfolding crisis. Multiple sources indicate she was abroad at the time of the U.S. strike and has been vocal in condemning the operation, calling for proof of life for Maduro and Flores and denouncing the attack as an “aggression against the Venezuelan people.”
Delcy has long been a central figure in Maduro’s government, with broad political authority and close ties to both the oil sector and international diplomacy. Should Venezuelan leadership be restructured, analysts say she could play a key transitional role — although her absence from the country complicates immediate succession dynamics.
Her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, a powerful political operator and head of the National Assembly, remains in Caracas but has stayed largely out of public view since the operation. Jorge’s future role is uncertain, but observers say his political network and organizational skills could be pivotal for any interim government or counter-narrative to U.S. intervention, according to Reuters.
Vladimir Padrino Lopez: military leader on alert
General Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Maduro’s longtime defense minister and a key military figure, has also remained within Venezuela and delivered statements condemning the U.S. action. Like Cabello, Padrino framed the offensive as a “criminal act” and pledged military resistance, calling for unity among the armed forces and Venezuelan citizens.
As head of Venezuela’s military establishment, Padrino’s decisions in the coming days will be watched closely. Experts suggest his stance could determine whether the armed forces fracture, remain loyal to Maduro’s circle, or ultimately seek negotiation with external players — with major implications for the country’s stability.
Power vacuum, uncertainty, and international pressure
With Maduro and Flores in U.S. custody but their location still unverified by Venezuelan officials, a power vacuum looms large. International reactions range from sharp criticism of U.S. intervention to calls for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty and peaceful transitions.
Analysts warn that the absence of clear leadership could increase risks of unrest, factional violence, and competing claims to authority. While new figures such as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado have been touted as possible successors, entrenched regime figures such as Cabello, the Rodriguez siblings, and Padrino could also assert influence — or even attempt to negotiate terms from a position of strength, according to the Financial Times.
For now, Venezuela remains in a state of flux — with the country’s most powerful remaining insiders navigating between survival, legitimacy, and the prospect of prosecution abroad — even as millions watch and wait for the next chapter in the nation’s turbulent history.