The Venezuelan Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, known for his controversial reputation, displayed a confrontational stance during a recent episode of the socialist program con el mazo dando (“Strike with a mallet”). He urged national unity against what he described as threats to the nation.
Cabello accused the United States of being responsible for the deaths of individuals unconnected to the circumstances surrounding President Nicolas Maduro’s detainment, claiming over 100 fatalities and a similar number of injuries. However, he did not provide any supporting evidence for these allegations.
Cabello, deemed one of the most formidable figures within Venezuela’s ruling socialist regime, plays a key role in its repressive operations. Like Maduro, he is also wanted by U.S. authorities on charges linked to narco-terrorism.
For more than a decade, he has hosted con el mazo dando, a weekly program on state media where he often attacks dissenters, mocks critics, and airs intercepted conversations. This show occasionally features a live audience, including military personnel and civilians.
Interestingly, Wednesday’s episode—the first of 2026—seemed to originate from a different location, lacking a live audience and some of the usual props, which is a bit unusual for Cabello. Reportedly, unlike previous instances, he refrained from hurling insults at regime opponents during this broadcast.
Even with this apparent change in setting, Cabello remained steadfastly defiant towards the U.S., in contrast to the seemingly more favorable stance taken recently by VTV, the regime’s primary propaganda outlet.
VTV, overseen by “Acting President” Delcy Rodriguez, notably celebrated recent negotiations between Venezuela and the U.S. regarding the sale of oil—a significant shift after years of harshly anti-American rhetoric.
Through the course of Wednesday’s program, El Maso summarized Cabello’s criticisms of U.S. law enforcement actions that resulted in Maduro and his wife’s arrest. He claimed that the military actions led to civilian casualties unrelated to the conflict.
Cabello asserted that among those killed in these operations were members of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces, Cuban soldiers, and Venezuelan families, yet he again failed to provide evidence for these claims. As of now, the government has not disclosed specific details regarding casualties from the U.S. operation aimed at capturing Maduro.
“Our homeland needs us united more than ever; the threat goes beyond just interpersonal conflict. Chavismo is against our homeland,” Cabello emphasized, declaring that “Venezuela will remain resilient, and our people will endure,” repeating that “Venezuela will continue to be strong.”
He added a historical angle, evoking Simón Bolívar, stating that Venezuelans have always found a way to persevere amid adversity.
However, El Maso‘s YouTube channel was taken down in 2024, though alternative state-run channels streamed Wednesday’s episode.
Cabello claimed there had been “no demonstrations supporting” the U.S. attacks, insisting that Venezuelans were expressing their respect for Maduro and his wife, calling for their freedom.
He argued that the U.S. boasts an intelligence framework aware of Venezuelan solidarity against foreign threats, stating that “no one is celebrating” the attack.
Moreover, he has led campaigns of intimidation against Venezuelans, with numerous individuals facing arrests for their support of Maduro’s ousting. This campaign often involves law enforcement and armed socialist groups.
José Antonio Colina, from the Venezuelan NGO VEPPEX, commented on Cabello’s oppressive strategies, expressing concern over his leadership of such a repressive framework, noting Cabello’s past threats to rebel against the populace if any interventions occurred.
In a notable contrast, the VTV broadcast featured Delcy Rodriguez and her brother, promising significant legislative reforms across various sectors in Venezuela, including changes to social, economic, and electoral laws.
Rodriguez also indicated plans to reform electricity laws in line with enhancing the country’s struggling power infrastructure, coinciding with Trump’s announcements regarding potential U.S. product imports connected to oil revenues.
