Cabello Challenges Evidence of US Talks
The Venezuelan Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello, recently challenged anyone to provide proof of his supposed conversations with U.S. officials prior to the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, as reported by Reuters. Cabello, widely seen as a key figure in the socialist regime and its repressive actions, insisted on being a “precious asset.” He is actively sought by U.S. authorities for various drug-related crimes and is mentioned in a newly unsealed indictment linked to Maduro’s drug traffickingoperations. The U.S. has set a bounty of $25 million for information leading to Cabello’s arrest or conviction.
Reports last week suggested that Cabello had been in discussions with officials from the Trump administration, with these alleged communications occurring months before a U.S. operation that captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on January 3, 2026.
Venezuela’s government denied these allegations in a social media post from the newly created account “Miraflores Right Now,” which seems to imitate the White House’s social media efforts.
Cabello addressed the Reuters report during his weekly propaganda broadcast, “con el mazo dando,” a program where he has spent years ridiculing critics of the regime. He often throws around false accusations against dissenters, sometimes sharing what he claims are messages from anonymous “cooperating patriots”—some of which include humorous pet names for him. One message called him “my mango compote.”
Rejecting the report’s claims, Cabello accused it of being part of a “media campaign” intended to sow discord within his faction, firmly denying any meetings with U.S. officials. He pointed to a social media post from exiled Venezuelan journalist Leopoldo Castillo, who labeled Cabello a “Judas” for betraying Maduro. This post seemed to provoke Cabello.
“Leopoldo Castillo, Reuters, I dare anyone to show any proof I met with someone. I have no price. But yours is for sale,” he declared. He then emphasized a distinction between his regime and the Venezuelan opposition, accusing right-wing figures of corruption and other scandals.
Cabello currently oversees the regime’s intelligence agencies known for their brutal tactics. Following Maduro’s arrest, he took to the streets of Caracas to locate individuals celebrating the event, reminding everyone that the regime holds a “monopoly on arms” in the country.
Just days before these reports surfaced, Delcy Rodriguez, identified as Venezuela’s “acting president,” met with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Caracas. It was reported that Ratcliffe conveyed a message from President Trump about the U.S. looking forward to better cooperation.
Recently, Trump suggested that Rodriguez is working with the U.S. and has been in close communication with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. After a phone call with her, Trump described the discussion as “very good,” while Rodriguez characterized it as a “long and cordial” exchange grounded in mutual respect.
However, Rodriguez and her administration present a united front domestically, insisting that they remain in control of Venezuela, not the U.S. Cabello reiterated this sentiment during his segment, asserting the socialist government’s unity.
“They are running a media campaign based on lies. There is no conflict here. The Bolivarian Revolution continues. We are the guarantors of peace in this country. With Delcy Rodriguez at the helm, we remain committed to diplomacy and peace,” Cabello stated.
In a recent speech to Congress, Rodriguez made a firm statement asserting her independence, saying, “If I have to go to Washington, I’m going to go standing, not crawling.” Meanwhile, reports emerged that Rodriguez is scheduled for a visit to Washington soon.
This latest broadcast marked the third since Maduro’s capture, and, like its predecessors, it lacked a live audience. Cabello once again showcased his trademark style, providing updates on news stories and social media reactions, while highlighting pro-regime narratives and dismissing critical ones.
