U.S. officials reportedly held secret talks with Venezuelan leader Diosdado Cabello while Maduro was in custody, according to Reuters.
USA Captured Maduro, Left His Man Intact
Diosdado Cabello Rondon, who supervised Venezuela’s police and prisons in 2020, was accused by the USA of involvement in a narco-terrorist conspiracy. The alleged conspiracy involved the Cartel de los Soles and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), designated as a terrorist organization. The term “Cartel de los Soles” currently refers to a “culture of corruption” in Venezuela, though the Trump administration referred to it as a drug cartel composed of high-ranking Venezuelan officials. Venezuela’s Interior Minister denied involvement in the conspiracy, as did President Nicolas Maduro. Despite this, the USA did not arrest the minister, whose name appeared in the same indictment. The security apparatus, including intelligence services, police, and military, remained untouched.
Trump’s People Negotiated with Venezuela?
Reuters has unofficially established that several months before Maduro’s capture, officials from the Trump administration conducted talks with Diosdado Cabello. The contact was reportedly maintained until the operation in Venezuela. Officials allegedly warned the politician not to use security forces or party paramilitaries against the opposition. The talks also addressed sanctions and charges against him.
Purpose of Agreement with Diosdado Cabello
As indicated by journalists, Donald Trump intended to control the situation in Venezuela. However, forces controlled by Diosdado Cabello could have disrupted his plans. According to a Reuters source, these forces are capable of “causing chaos” that the U.S. president wants to avoid. They could also threaten the interim government of President Delcy Rodriguez. It is worth noting that after Maduro’s ouster, Rodriguez protested against U.S. actions, but later held a conversation with Trump that she described as “long, productive, and polite.” The Republican also evaluated it positively.
Partnership Between USA and Venezuela
“This morning I had a very productive conversation with the interim president of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez. We are making tremendous progress helping Venezuela stabilize and rebuild. Many topics were discussed, including oil, minerals, trade, and of course national security. This partnership between the United States of America and Venezuela will be spectacular for everyone. Venezuela will soon be great and prosperous again, perhaps more than ever before!” – Trump wrote on January 14.