Nicolás Maduro sits in a New York jail cell, arrested and facing drug trafficking charges. Yet back in Venezuela, the machinery of his government continues to operate almost unchanged. His former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, has been sworn in as interim leader, but real power remains firmly in the hands of two men who helped build and enforce Maduro's authoritarian system: Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.
For many Venezuelans who fled the country, Maduro's removal offered a glimmer of hope that their government might finally transform. But on the streets of Caracas this week, armed paramilitary gangs and uniformed police officers patrolled in force, a visible reminder that the repressive machinery remains intact.
Background
Venezuela has endured years of economic collapse and political repression under Maduro's leadership. The country's oil-dependent economy crumbled, hospitals and schools deteriorated, and security forces cracked down on opposition movements. Millions fled the country, creating a humanitarian crisis that stretched across Latin America and beyond.
The United States had long pursued Maduro, eventually securing his extradition and charging him with drug trafficking alongside his wife. His arrest in early January 2026 marked a dramatic shift in the country's political landscape. Many observers wondered whether his removal might create space for genuine democratic reform.
Instead, Maduro's government simply promoted one of its own. Rodríguez, a longtime member of Venezuela's hardline leftist core, moved from her role managing the oil industry and economy to the presidency. Economists note she is known as a pragmatist who gets things done, someone who understood the need to improve relations with the business community despite ideological differences.
Key Details
The Men Behind the Scenes
Cabello has served as Interior Minister for years, controlling both the national police and the feared security forces that have been accused of widespread human rights abuses. Since Maduro's arrest, he has been highly visible, joining street patrols and posting videos showing himself flanked by heavily armed forces. At pro-government rallies, he has chanted slogans and declared his loyalty to the revolution.
"They kidnapped Nicolás and thought the revolution would fall, but they don't know us," Cabello told crowds at a recent rally, promising to secure Maduro's release.
Cabello is named in the indictment charging Maduro with drug trafficking, though he denies the allegations. His key ally, Padrino, remains as defense minister and also faces US sanctions. Both men stood visibly beside Rodríguez during her televised cabinet meeting after being sworn in, a clear signal that continuity, not change, would define the new administration.
The Challenge Ahead
Rodríguez now faces an impossible balancing act. She must manage the hardliners still controlling Venezuela's security apparatus while also appeasing the incoming Trump administration, which has made clear demands on the new government. Trump has already threatened her with consequences worse than Maduro's fate if she does not fall in line.
Economists and foreign policy experts say her biggest challenge will be determining what concessions she can offer to satisfy Washington without surrendering Venezuela's resources or appearing to sell out to American interests. She has a track record of pragmatism and getting things done, but those skills will be tested as she navigates between two opposing forces.
On the streets of Caracas, the security apparatus that enforced Maduro's will remains unchanged. The armed gangs known as colectivos continue their presence. The police and military leadership that oversaw years of repression remain in their posts. For Venezuelans hoping for real change, the picture is clear: the faces at the top may have changed, but the system that kept them in power endures.
What This Means
The continuity of Venezuela's security leadership suggests that meaningful democratic reform may not come quickly, if at all. While Rodríguez is viewed as more pragmatic than previous economic officials, she operates within constraints set by men who have spent years enforcing authoritarian control.
For the millions of Venezuelans in exile, the situation remains bleak. One woman in Colombia, speaking about her hopes to return home, expressed the frustration many feel: the regime would have to be dismantled entirely for people to feel safe going back. That does not appear to be happening.
The coming months will test whether Rodríguez can navigate between Trump's demands and the hardliners' grip on power. But for now, Venezuela's security forces remain unchanged, its leadership structure intact, and its prospects for genuine transformation uncertain.
