INTERNACIONAL
Maduro’s heirs: human rights violators, corrupt enforcers and ruthless loyalists
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
As the Trump administration escalates pressure on Venezuela, experts warn that Nicolás Maduro’s downfall could open the door to a successor «even worse» than the dictator himself and unleash a landscape dominated by drug cartels, guerrilla factions and armed warlords who have embedded themselves across Venezuela for decades.
Venezuela today is less a centralized dictatorship and more a patchwork of criminal territories controlled by cartels, Colombian insurgents and regime-aligned militias. Analysts told Fox News Digital that U.S. policy now confronts not only Maduro but an entrenched ecosystem of non-state armed groups that could seize power in a post-Maduro vacuum.
Roxanna Vigil, a fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and former U.S. national security official focused on Latin America, said the trajectory is now binary.
PUTIN DOUBLES DOWN ON BACKING MADURO AMID MOUNTING US PRESSURE ON VENEZUELA
Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro brandishes a sword during an event at the military academy in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Ariana Cubillos/AP Photo)
«The way I see it, what comes next will largely depend on what direction this U.S. pressure campaign goes in,» Vigil said. «If it goes in the direction of escalation and conflict, that means there’s going to be very little control — or even less ability to influence what comes next.»
The danger, experts say, is not simply a stronger version of Maduro but the rise of armed actors who already control swaths of Venezuelan territory. Vigil said that an uncontrolled collapse could unleash something far more dangerous than the current regime. «You could have someone potentially worse than Maduro,» she said.
Jason Marczak, vice president and senior director at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, told Fox News Digital those power centers include some of the most violent criminal syndicates in the Western Hemisphere.
Bolivarian National Police fire tear gas toward opposition demonstrators in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2014. Venezuelan security forces backed by water tanks and tear gas dispersed groups of anti-government demonstrators who tried to block Caracas' main highway Saturday evening. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra)
«It’s hard to imagine things getting any worse than they are under Nicolás Maduro. But what’s critical is not just Maduro leaving, but those around him — those who will only be further perpetrators of the injustices that Maduro puts forward — that none of them are allowed to just come to power.»
If either opposition leader María Corina Machado or Edmundo González fail to fill the vacuum in a post-Maduro Venezuela, experts point to a crowded field of dangerous actors who could attempt to seize power if Maduro suddenly falls.
RETIRED GENERAL HAILS TRUMP’S ‘HOLISTIC’ CRACKDOWN ON VENEZUELAN DRUG TRAFFICKING AS SHOWDOWN ESCALATES
Diosdado Cabello
Diosdado Cabello emerges as the most feared and influential figure in the regime. La Nación describes him as the longtime number two of Chavismo, with sweeping control over party machinery and the propaganda apparatus. His power stretches from internal political enforcement to the interior and justice portfolios.
Cabello was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2018 for corruption, money laundering, embezzlement and links to drug-trafficking networks inside the state. Reuters reporting documented how the United States later increased rewards for information leading to his arrest as part of broader efforts to target the Cartel de los Soles. Analysts say a government headed by Cabello could consolidate party power, state security forces and media control under a single hardline operator.
Minister of Interior and Justice Diosdado Cabello (C) talks to the President of the National Assembly, Jorge Rodríguez (L) as Vice President of the Venezuela Delcy Rodríguez (R) looks on at Simon Bolivar International Airport on July 18, 2025, in Caracas, Venezuela. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
Jorge Rodríguez
Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly and one of Maduro’s closest political operators, is another senior figure positioned for any succession scenario. La Nación highlights his prominence inside the ruling elite, noting his roles as mayor, communications minister, and key strategist.
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Rodríguez for actions that undermine democratic institutions, according to an Atlantic Council summary of OFAC designations. Experts caution that Rodríguez could impose a more technocratic — but no less authoritarian — version of Chavismo, pairing negotiation skills with control over electoral processes and state information systems.
Vladimir Padrino López
Vladimir Padrino López, Venezuela’s long-serving defense minister, is portrayed by La Nación as the backbone of the military establishment and the guarantor of Maduro’s survival. The armed forces remain loyal because of him, forming an axis of power between Padrino and Maduro.
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Padrino López as part of Maduro’s inner circle for sustaining an authoritarian system and enabling repression. Observers warn that if Padrino were to assume leadership, Venezuela could shift toward an even more militarized model — one in which political authority is openly fused with military command structures.
Vladimir Padrino Lopez, Venezuela’s defense minister, speaks during a press conference accompanied by the military high command at the Ministry of Defense in Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019. (Carlos Becerra/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Delcy Rodríguez
Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s vice president, is described as a central political operator within the regime and part of a powerful governing duo with her brother Jorge. Her influence spans institutional, economic and diplomatic spheres. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Rodríguez as part of Maduro’s inner circle for helping dismantle democratic governance, and the European Union lists her under measures for human rights violations and the erosion of the rule of law.
Analysts note that Rodríguez has increasingly taken control of critical sectors, including the oil industry, placing her at the center of the opaque revenue structures that sustain the regime. A transition led by her, they warn, could tighten state control over the economy and political apparatus even further.
Cilia Flores, wife of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro, talks to the media during a simulation of the government’s official July 30 vote for a new assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela July 16, 2017. Marco Bello/ Reuters
Cilia Flores
Cilia Flores, the first lady and a longtime Chavista power broker, rounds out the circle of figures identified by La Nación as essential to Maduro’s hold on power. Flores has held senior positions, including National Assembly president, attorney general, and member of the PSUV leadership.
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Flores in 2018 as part of broader actions targeting Maduro’s inner circle and their networks of corruption, a move widely reported by Reuters. Her family members have also faced sanctions or indictments linked to narcotics cases. Analysts say Flores’s political reach and influence inside the party and the legal system make her a pivotal actor in any succession calculus.
In this April 13, 2019, file photo, Gen. Ivan Hernandez Dala, (L), head of both the presidential guard and military counterintelligence, and Venezuela’s Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, (R), in Caracas, Venezuela. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)
Iván Hernández Dala
Hernández Dala heads Venezuela’s military counterintelligence service (DGCIM) and commands the presidential guard, making him one of the most feared figures in the security apparatus. His control over internal repression gives him significant leverage in any power struggle. He was designated by the State Department in 2019 for his involvement in gross violations of human rights.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) wrote that under his command «Abuses reportedly carried out by the DGCIM and SEBIN include brutal beatings, asphyxiation, cutting soles of feet with razor blades, electric shocks, and death threats.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Marczak and Vigil beieve Washington’s next moves — and whether they drive negotiation or escalation — will determine whether Venezuela moves toward democracy or toward something even worse.
As Marczak put it: «A win isn’t just Nicolás Maduro leaving… A win is actually a transition to democratic forces.»
venezuelan political crisis,donald trump,narco terror,conflicts,south america
INTERNACIONAL
Troops reinforce Puerto Vallarta as unrest shows signs of easing following El Mencho’s death
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Mexico’s Navy and armed forces have reinforced security across Jalisco following the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as «El Mencho,» in an operation that triggered retaliatory violence and raised concerns for the safety of the many American and foreign tourists who are staying in the area.
In a Feb. 24 press release, Mexico’s Secretariat of the Navy said 103 Marines and tactical vehicles arrived in the main tourist area of Puerto Vallarta aboard the naval vessel ARM «Usumacinta» (A-412) to reinforce surveillance and security operations after attacks targeting businesses and property in several neighborhoods.
Naval authorities said additional personnel supported by boats, aircraft and ground vehicles were deployed to conduct maritime, aerial and land patrols to help restore order.
A soldier clears a roadblock on a road leading to Tapalpa, Mexico, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, a day after the Mexican army killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as «El Mencho.» (Marco Ugarte/AP Photo)
The naval reinforcement came as federal authorities sent roughly 2,000 additional soldiers to Jalisco following the cartel leader’s death, Reuters reported.
The operation targeting El Mencho, long considered one of Mexico’s most powerful drug traffickers and head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, sparked immediate retaliation from cartel members, including roadblocks, vehicle burnings and clashes across multiple states, AP reported.
Mexican officials have framed the killing as a major blow to organized crime. But analysts caution that removing a cartel leader does not necessarily translate into lasting stability.
David Mora, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, stated that «federal authorities announced that they are reinforcing troop deployments to contain the cartel’s backlash, which may be protracted.»
SOCCER MATCHES POSTPONED AFTER MEXICO KILLS CARTEL LEADER ‘EL MENCHO’ NEAR WORLD CUP HOST
The State Department declared El Mencho deceased on Tuesday. (State Department)
Mora added that «El Mencho left no clear heir, and the remaining leaders could dispute control,» and warned that the cartel’s ongoing turf wars with smaller groups, especially in Guanajuato and Michoacán, could intensify as rivals seek advantage.
While the killing delivered President Claudia Sheinbaum «a win with Washington,» Mora said, «it is far from clear the killing will aid the president’s ultimate goal of pacifying Mexico.»
Duncan Wood, a visiting fellow for North America at the Wilson Center, described the operation as a demonstration of state authority but warned the aftermath may hinge on the cartel’s structure.
TRUMP’S ‘TOTAL ELIMINATION’ STRATEGY PAVED WAY FOR FALL OF CARTEL KINGPIN ‘EL MENCHO’
Mexican navy marines guard the area where new clandestine mass graves were found near the town of La Joya, on the ouskisrts of Iguala, Mexico, Thursday Oct. 9, 2014. ((AP Photo/Felix Marquez))
«The removal of El Mencho represents a meaningful assertion of Mexican state authority against one of the country’s most violent criminal organizations. The chaos that followed was real, but temporary,» Wood said.
«In the medium term, the focus shifts to the resilience of the CJNG’s decentralized cells and the Mexican government’s capacity to sustain a comprehensive security strategy.»
In a statement posted Feb. 24 on X, the Embassy of Mexico in the United States said transit corridors were reopening and public services were being restored, airline operations were returning to normal and Puerto Vallarta International Airport had reopened to domestic traffic.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Members of the National Guard stand guard outside the facilities of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (FEMDO) in Mexico City, Mexico on Feb. 22, 2026. The security presence outside the FEMDO facilities follows an operation earlier in the day in which cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as ‘El Mencho’ was killed during a military operation in Tapalpa, in the state of Jalisco, authorities confirmed. (Daniel Cardenas/Anadolu via Getty Image)
The embassy said some local security measures remain in place and that authorities are working with international partners to ensure safety at transit hubs and tourist destinations.
Whether the surge of troops and naval forces will prevent a broader escalation remains uncertain as authorities brace for potential power struggles within the cartel and continued clashes with rival groups.
Armando Regil Velasco and Reuters contributed to this report
Related Article
location mexico,mexican cartel violence,military,navy
INTERNACIONAL
Con su imagen en baja y enfocado en las elecciones, Donald Trump defiende su gestión: «Es un giro para la historia»
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The architect of former President Bill Clinton’s political rise offered a profane preview of President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, claiming he will face a «public humiliation» by November.
James Carville, known as the ‘Ragin Cajun’ for his raucous demeanor, claimed every member of Trump’s administration except top adviser Stephen Miller «hates» him. He delivered the remarks on the Politicon YouTube channel he shares with journalist Al Hunt.
«However bad you think this is, however much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, in your staff, in your Congress, attorney on you, it’s just starting,» Carville said.
«You know how miserable you’re going to be in November? You know, how f—ing miserable you are? Tens of millions of American people get a chance to tell you exactly what they think of you.»
Democratic strategist James Carville doubled down this week after he was called out for predicting Trump’s imminent collapse in February. (AP/»Politics War Room»)
He addressed Trump as if he were watching, telling him to «sit still while I’m talking to you» and advising that «everybody is stabbing you in the back» before calling him a «fat, sorry, sack of s—.»
He claimed the Pentagon has begun, or will begin, leaking information to hurt Trump «because your boy Pete can’t control s—,» in an apparent reference to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
«You can’t trust anyone: trust no one, right. OK, maybe Stephen Miller, I’ll give you that one. The Congress can’t stand you. They’re not going to pass s— for you. They hate you. They know you’re going to bring them to staggering defeat.»
TOP LIBERALS ANTICIPATE PROSECUTION, HUMILIATION OF TRUMP AND HIS MAGA ALLIES WHEN DEMS REGAIN POWER
James Carville speaks onstage during Election Night Live With Brian Williams at Amazon Studios on November 05, 2024, in Culver City, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Amazon Studios)
Carville also claimed Congress is in disarray, alleging that his fellow Louisianan Mike Johnson «doesn’t know whether to wind his a– or scratch his watch.»
«You are the most unpopular president at this point in your term that we’ve ever had. They don’t like you. You understand that? They don’t like you. They don’t like the way you smell and the way that you look. They don’t like your fat stomach. They don ‘t like your stupid combover,» Carville said, referring to the American people.
He also referenced the fact that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia ultimately decided to stop seeking prosecution of six federal lawmakers led by Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., who produced a video advising service members they can refuse lawful orders.
BILL MAHER CALLS FOR COMPLETE END TO STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS AHEAD OF TRUMP SPEECH
«When you lose Judge Jeanine… that’s kind of horrible,» he said, referring to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who is a former judge in Westchester County, N.Y. and ex-Fox News host.
«You’re in the process of getting the living s— kicked out of you. And how bad do you think this is? However much you see people in your own inner circle, in your military, your own staff, and your own Congress attorney on you. It’s just starting.»
Carville closed by wishing Trump «good health» but warned him a «public humiliation is happening as we speak.»
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
«People [will] tell you exactly what the f— they think of you, and I got news for you, it ain’t very good,» he said.
In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson called Carville an «irrelevant loser» who «rambles to an audience of no one.»
«This is a sad example of late stage Trump Derangement Syndrome,» Jackson told Fox News Digital.
«President Trump is focused on delivering on his many promises for the American people — driving down costs, tackling Bidenflation, deporting criminal illegal aliens, lowering crime rates, and more,» she added.
Related Article
pete hegseth,state of the union,the clintons,donald trump,white house,politics
Troops reinforce Puerto Vallarta as unrest shows signs of easing following El Mencho’s death
Los judiciales activaron un paro en rechazo al traspaso del fuero laboral a la Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Piqueteros y gremios volverán a marchar el viernes al Congreso: el megaoperativo que prepara el Gobierno
Wall Street enciende una luz amarilla: ¿puede la economía real impactar sobre el precio del dólar?
Sin Enzo Pérez, Argentinos juega la vuelta frente a Barcelona: datos claves y las posibles formaciones
Así será la primera placa de nominados de Gran Hermano Generación Dorada: “Dentro de la casa ellos no lo van a saber”
Villarruel cuestionó la apertura de importaciones: «Sin industria, se pasa a depender de China»
“Ahora es la hora de jugarse”: el mensaje de Patricia Bullrich a los empresarios tras aprobarse la reforma laboral
Según un especialista, el precio de la carne se mantendrá alto “entre dos y tres años”
Cómo será el tratamiento de la reforma laboral en el Senado, luego de haber obtenido la media sanción en Diputados
POLITICA1 día agoDaiana Fernández Molero defendió la reforma laboral: “Va a haber mayor creación de empleo porque va a ser más fácil contratar en blanco”
- POLITICA2 días ago
“Nos hacemos cargo”: Patricia Bullrich admitió un error del Gobierno en la inclusión del artículo de las licencias médicas
- ECONOMIA2 días ago
El salario pretendido por los argentinos volvió a caer en enero: cuánto piden por cada puesto
