US officials see Padrino’s collaboration as crucial for avoiding a power vacuum due to his command of the armed forces. They believe he is less dogmatic than Cabello and more likely to toe the US line while seeking his own safe exit, the source briefed on administration thinking said. But the administration wants to eventually see a move toward new elections, US officials have said, though the timeframe remains uncertain. The US wants to see progress toward meeting US objectives in a matter of weeks, the source said. Rodriguez and Cabello have both operated at the heart of the government, legislature and ruling socialist party for years, but have never been considered close allies.

Source: The Telegraph January 07, 2026 09:10 UTC