Vladimir Padrino And Diosdado Cabello Can Make Or Break The Interim Presidency Of Delcy Rodriguez In Venezuela: Report

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez can make or break the interim presidency of Delcy Rodriguez in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, according to a new report.

Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Brian Naranjo, a former senior U.S. diplomat who served in Venezuela, said the two could "very easily take action against her and sideline her immediately." They have been indicted in the U.S. on drug smuggling charges, and the U.S. offers a $25 million reward for information leading to Cabello's arrest and/or conviction and a $15 million reward for Padrino Lopez.

"These are the guys who command people with guns," Naranjo added. "Those are the two guys who control Venezuela right now." The two have so far sided with Rodriguez but it is unclear how events will unfold in the future.

Rodriguez has been backed to take control of the country after the capture of Maduro, partly as a result of a CIA analysis that concluded that regime insiders would be best suited to lead a temporary government should he fall.

The Wall Street Journal noted in another report that the analysis claimed that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado and Edmundo Gonzalez, considered the winner of the 2024 election in the country by the U.S., would struggle to overcome resistance from security forces, drug-trafficking networks and political opponents.

In the meantime, the Trump administration has conveyed three main demands to Rodriguez following her rise to power.

Citing a U.S. official familiar with the matter, Politico detailed that the demands are cracking down on drug flows, removing operatives from countries such as Iran and Cuba, and refrain from selling oil to U.S. adversaries.

Administration officers also expect Rodriguez to eventually hold free elections and step down, even if there are no set dates for such events. In fact, President Donald Trump said Venezuela won't have elections in the next 30 days and the country must be "nursed back to health" before they can take place.