Mounting US Pressure on Venezuela fuels Succession Concerns
The Trump management has significantly escalated its actions against the nicolás Maduro regime in Venezuela, moving beyond a “pressure campaign” as the president himself stated, to include designating Maduro as a leader of a terrorist association, deploying warships to the Caribbean, and closing Venezuelan airspace.Speaking to reporters this week,President Trump dismissed the actions as anything less than a full-scale effort,adding a critical assessment of the Venezuelan electoral process: “You can’t rig elections like they did and be stupid.”
While the White House publicly frames these measures as a response to drug trafficking and security concerns, sources cited by The New York Times indicate the primary goal is to force Maduro’s removal from power, despite his victory in the 2024 elections. The Pentagon is reportedly developing plans for potential military intervention, including the possible use of special forces to capture Maduro.
This sustained pressure is reportedly impacting Maduro personally, with reports of both physical and emotional deterioration, leading to increased security measures. Attempts by Maduro’s advisors to negotiate a 2027 departure have been rejected by the Trump administration, which is demanding his immediate resignation.
The potential removal of maduro raises questions about succession. Constitutionally,Vice President and Minister of Petroleum Delcy Rodríguez would be the likely successor. Considered a more moderate figure within the regime, Rodríguez has implemented economic reforms credited with stabilizing Venezuela’s economy. Her administration would be obligated to call for new elections.
However, Diosdado Cabello, the Minister of the Interior, represents a hardline alternative. A close ally of the late Hugo Chávez, Cabello is accused by human rights organizations of overseeing the regime’s repressive tactics and is resolute to maintain the current status quo.
On the opposition side, María Corina Machado stands out as a key leader. Having demonstrably won the 2024 presidential election – a result internationally recognized and awarded with the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize – Machado is currently in hiding due to government persecution, continuing to denounce maduro’s rule and human rights abuses through online statements.
Edmundo González,a retired diplomat who became the opposition’s presidential candidate after Machado was barred from the 2024 election,is also considered a legitimate contender by international observers.
Key figures surrounding Maduro include Jorge Rodríguez, President of the Venezuelan Congress and delcy Rodríguez’s brother, who serves as the regime’s chief political strategist and has been involved in negotiations with the US. General Vladimir Padrino López, the Minister of Defense, is responsible for maintaining loyalty within the Venezuelan Armed Forces and has overseen the repression of protests.
[Note: The original article included a promotional section for a subscription service. This has been omitted from the rewrite as it is not journalistic content.]
