The faces of Venezuela's 'new government': it all stays in the family

Bogotá"Perhaps they have kidnapped Nicolás and Cilia, but they have not kidnapped the conscience of a people who have decided to be free." These were the words of Nicolás Maduro Guerra, son of the now former president of Venezuela, at the inauguration of Delcy Rodríguez. "To you, Delcy Eloína, I offer my unconditional support in the difficult task ahead. You can count on me, you can count on my family, you can count on our determination to take the appropriate measures to face this responsibility that now falls to you," said the member of the National Assembly. The new face of Miraflores Palace, for her part, was sworn in as president of Venezuela "with sorrow for the kidnapping of two heroes whom we have as hostages in the United States, Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores." But within hours, Trump made it clear to her that Venezuelan energy resources would pass into Washington's control and that the profits would be invested in American products. Yes to everything, is the message Caracas sends to Washington and the world, while internally reaffirming that the "revolution" remains intact.

Delcy, according to analysts, is a pragmatic figure and a recognized one within the Bolivarian circle. But she already had a certain international profile: first as director of overseas ministries, always based in Caracas, and later as head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A figure who landed in 2020 at Adolfo Suárez Airport—while under European Union sanctions—met with Ábalos and, hours later, organized a suspicious emergency meeting with the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Mustafa Şentop, to discuss Turkish soap operas. From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she would move to the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and, later, control the Bolivarian intelligence service (SEBIN) while serving as vice president. A feared SEBIN – especially during the 2018 protests – for the torture of dissidents, denounced by the United Nations. Now, the weight of the executive branch falls on her shoulders.

In contrast, the legislative apparatus, the National Assembly, falls on her brother. Jorge Rodríguez is serving a second term as president of a chamber devoid of opposition, a term that will last until 2031 after legislative elections were held in 2025 and boycotted by most of the opposition. The results: 29 opposition deputies compared to 256 for the ruling Great Patriotic Pole Simón Bolívar. The position he holds should be renewed annually by a vote of the deputies, but he is already accustomed to it: the current president's brother has occupied the top seat since 2021.

Gun control

Everyone is wondering why the radars failed to function the day Pentagon helicopters flew over Caracas to kidnap Nicolás Maduro. Nor are there any answers regarding the massive investments in the country's air force and communications systems. Someone leaked critical information about the president's movements and deliberately plunged Caracas into darkness while he was taken away. At Miraflores Palace, a name has already surfaced: General Javier Marcano Tábata, former head of the Presidential Guard and director of Counterintelligence, who was arrested this week and singled out by the Venezuelan government. His position will now be filled by Gustavo González López, accused of human rights violations and former head of the intelligence service, who runs torture centers like El Helicoide, the prison where political opponents are being held.

In the military barracks, one man remains undisputed: Vladimir Padrino López continues to lead the armed forces despite the suspicions surrounding him—and some accusations—for the army's lack of action in preventing Maduro's arrest. Padrino, Minister of Defense for over a decade, has played a key role in quelling the dozens of alleged conspiracies that Maduro has repeatedly claimed to be the victim of. The United States accuses him of drug trafficking and is offering $15 million for information that could lead to his prosecution. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio justified in an interview on CBS why Padrino wasn't arrested along with Maduro and his wife: "It's very simple. You can't just go in and take them all." In the interview, he also referred to Diosdado Cabello, Minister of the Interior and a member of the Venezuelan establishment since the time of Hugo Chávez.

Cabello, feared by regime opponents, is also accused of drug trafficking. Washington is also offering a $25 million reward for information leading to his capture. Cabello also controls thecollectivesCivilian forces roam the major cities under the government's umbrella, armed with Kalashnikovs and using force without explanation. They are considered a counterweight to Delcy Rodríguez, who now wants to open channels of negotiation with Washington. For this reason, Cabello still represents the most rebellious wing of Miraflores. And since Trump has reiterated his desire to "lead" the country, another figure to consider for Venezuela's future is the US president himself. The White House claims he will "dictate" the decisions that Delcy Rodríguez will implement.