In the wake of the daring weekend US raid that captured outcast Venezuelan President Nicoals Maduro, Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello stands as the singular formidable barrier between President Donald Trump and a cooperative Venezuelan state. As the de facto leader of the country's security apparatus and militias, Cabello represents a volatile threat. The Wall Street Journal reports that the official, whose first name translates to "God-given," has long cultivated an image as the regime's fiercest protector, commanding the "colectivos" – armed gangs that recently flooded Caracas streets in a menacing display.
Indicted by the US alongside ousted leader Nicolás Maduro, Cabello faces a binary choice: endorse the fledging administration of his rival, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, or risk a direct confrontation with American forces to seize power. "Cabello has a great deal to lose and is likely to recognize that among Washington's demands, his removal could surface sooner rather than later," analyst Daniel Lansberg-Rodriguez told The Wall Street Journal.
The 62-year-old is an unpredictable figure, known for brandishing a spiked club on his show "Bringing Down the Hammer." The Wall Street Journal notes that while he attended Rodríguez's swearing-in, he later armed himself with a rifle to rally security forces. "Doubting is treason!" Cabello shouted, according to the outlet, before commanding his troops: "Now, off to battle in the streets for victory."
A state of emergency has empowered security forces to hunt US sympathizers, with checkpoints established across the capital to inspect civilian phones. This repression contrasts with Trump's suggestion that the regime might be softening. "They have a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas that they're closing up," Trump said, according to The Wall Street Journal. Cabello, a former tank commander who participated in the 1992 coup attempt, has deep ties to the socialist movement's origins.
Five members of Cabello's family, including his brother and daughter, face US sanctions for alleged corruption. The Wall Street Journal reports that Cabello himself is one of only two sitting cabinet members charged with drug trafficking in the US. He denies the charges, which were unsealed just before Maduro's court appearance. His influence was cemented after the disputed July 2024 election, when he led crackdowns on dissent.
Locals in Venezuela remain terrified to speak his name. In Washington, lawmakers hope Rodríguez can manage the threat. "The next few days are going to be key," Senate Majority Leader John Thune told The Wall Street Journal. Regarding the acting president, he added: "I'm told that she's a practical person, a pragmatic person." However, skepticism persists. Ryan Berg of the Center for Strategic and International Studies told the outlet: "Diosdado is the hardest one to deal with. Nothing about him suggests he would be willing to negotiate."
Berg further noted to The Wall Street Journal: "I don't see a US-Delcy Rodriguez relationship being able to work long term," adding, "It has been 27 years of this regime using the US as an excuse for everything that's gone wrong." Atlantic Council expert Geoff Ramsey warned the publication: "Cabello has a reputation as a Machiavellian thug, and it's hard to imagine this [US] administration or any other cozying up to him." He concluded: "Delcy may have Donald Trump's ear, but she doesn't have the guns, and Cabello knows that."
The political tension unfolds against a backdrop of violence. The Washington Post reports that the US government assesses approximately 75 people died during the raid to capture Maduro. Sources indicated between 67 and 80 fatalities, including security forces and civilians. This toll clarifies Trump's description of the mission as "effective" but "very violent."
About six US troops suffered injuries, with the Pentagon confirming that "The fact that this extremely complex and grueling mission was successfully executed with so few injuries is a testament to the expertise of our joint warriors," according to The Washington Post. Trump acknowledged that soldiers "on the other side" were killed. The operation involved Delta Force and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
Briefings revealed that while the mission was "an astonishing feat," the lack of American deaths was miraculous. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed confidence in working with Rodríguez, though Trump told NBC News elections would not occur until the country is "fixed," The Washington Post reported. Gen. Dan Caine described the operation as "meticulously planned," noting the "apprehension force descended into Maduro's compound" and used "overwhelming force in self-defense." One helicopter was struck but remained operational.
