Venezuelan Powerbrokers Secretly Assured US Cooperation Before Maduro's Capture
In a remarkable revelation that sheds new light on the political dynamics surrounding Nicolás Maduro's capture earlier this month, exclusive sources have confirmed that Delcy Rodríguez and other powerful Venezuelan figures secretly pledged cooperation to United States officials before the operation unfolded. The communications, which involved multiple high-level regime members, represent a significant development in understanding the complex diplomatic manoeuvring that preceded the dramatic events in Caracas.
Secret Assurances from Multiple Regime Figures
According to four sources intimately involved with the discussions, Delcy Rodríguez - who was sworn in as acting president on 5 January following Maduro's capture - along with her brother Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela's national assembly, secretly assured both US and Qatari officials through intermediaries that they would welcome Maduro's departure. These communications began in the autumn months and continued even after the crucial November phone conversation between former US President Donald Trump and Maduro, during which Trump insisted the Venezuelan leader leave the country.
"Delcy was communicating 'Maduro needs to go,'" revealed one American participant in the discussions. "She said, 'I'll work with whatever is the aftermath,'" added another individual familiar with the messages exchanged between the parties.
Complex Diplomatic Channels and Distinctions
The sources emphasise a crucial distinction in the agreement reached with Delcy Rodríguez: while the Rodríguez family promised to assist the United States once Maduro was removed from power, they did not agree to actively participate in efforts to topple him. This careful positioning suggests the siblings were navigating treacherous political waters, seeking to position themselves advantageously without directly betraying Maduro until the operation was underway.
Interestingly, the pledge of cooperation from Delcy and Jorge Rodríguez before the Maduro raid represents previously unreported information. However, reports from October did reveal abortive negotiations conducted through Qatar, during which Delcy offered to lead a transitional government should Maduro agree to step down voluntarily.
Multiple Channels of Communication
The web of communications extended beyond the Rodríguez siblings. Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's powerful interior minister who controls police and security forces, had also been engaged in discussions with US officials months before the operation against Maduro. This suggests multiple power centres within the Venezuelan regime were simultaneously exploring post-Maduro scenarios with international partners.
Meanwhile, Delcy Rodríguez maintained particularly close personal ties with Qatar, where members of the ruling family considered her a friend. Qatar, a key US ally that had donated a $400 million luxury jet for Trump's use, leveraged its goodwill within the Trump administration to facilitate secret negotiations on Rodríguez's behalf.
American Calculations and Concerns
On the American side, key figures including Marco Rubio - who served as Trump's secretary of state and national security adviser - initially expressed scepticism about working with regime elements. However, they gradually came to view Delcy Rodríguez's promises as the most viable path to preventing chaos and instability once Maduro was removed from power.
"The biggest thing was trying to avoid a failed state," explained one source familiar with American thinking. The primary US objective centred on ensuring stability following Maduro's departure, given widespread predictions of potential civil war and political collapse in Venezuela.
Delicate Positioning and Personal Dynamics
Those familiar with Delcy Rodríguez describe a complex political operator with disarming personal quirks that helped her form bonds easily across diplomatic circles. Known for drinking champagne, maintaining a private ping-pong coach, and challenging foreign dignitaries to games, she presented a more nuanced figure than the typical dogmatic leader.
Her promise to work with American oil interests and her existing relationships with figures in the oil business further enhanced her credibility with certain US officials. "Delcy is the most committed to working with US oil," remarked one of her allies, highlighting a potential economic dimension to the discussions.
Official and Backchannel Communications
Alongside these secret assurances, numerous official talks continued between Trump administration officials and the Maduro-led Venezuelan government. Maduro himself met with top Trump aide Ric Grenell just ten days after Trump's inauguration to discuss US prisoners, who were subsequently released.
Key Trump aides maintained regular official communications with Jorge and Delcy Rodríguez to coordinate practical matters such as bi-weekly deportation flights of Venezuelans from the United States. These discussions addressed logistical challenges including flight landing locations, the status of Venezuelans imprisoned in El Salvador, and potential political prisoner releases.
The Final Stages and Aftermath
It wasn't until late autumn that Delcy Rodríguez and her brother actually engaged in discussions with the United States behind Maduro's back. Following Maduro's November phone conversation with Trump, it became increasingly clear the Venezuelan leader would not leave voluntarily.
For Delcy Rodríguez, this period represented a delicate balancing act. While making cooperation offers to US officials, she simultaneously avoided actively betraying Maduro. "She feared him," explained one official familiar with events, highlighting the personal risks involved in her diplomatic manoeuvring.
When US attack helicopters entered Caracas in early January to execute the capture operation, Delcy Rodríguez was conspicuously absent from the capital. Contrary to rumours suggesting she had fled to Moscow, two sources confirm she was actually on Margarita Island, a popular Venezuelan vacation destination, as events unfolded in Caracas.
The Venezuelan government has not responded to emailed questions concerning these revelations, while the White House similarly declined to address detailed inquiries about the secret communications and assurances that preceded one of the most significant political developments in recent Venezuelan history.
