The ousting of Nicolas Maduro as Venezuela’s president puts to the test his “Chavista” factions that have governed the oil-rich nation for 27 years.<\/p>\n
What happens to the so-called “club of five” powerful leftist figures, now that two of its most important members — Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores — have been captured and sent to the United States to face trial?<\/p>\n
– ‘Club of five’ –<\/p>\n
Anointed by his mentor Hugo Chavez before the latter’s death in 2013, Maduro kept a tight grip on power until his capture by US forces on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Maduro ruled alongside Flores and three other powerful figures: former vice president Delcy Rodriguez — now Venezuela’s interim leader — her brother Jorge, and their rival: hardline Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello.<\/p>\n
“It’s like a club of five,” a diplomatic source in Caracas told AFP under the condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n
“They can speak, they have a voice in the government, but Maduro was the one who kept the balance. Now that he’s gone, who knows?”<\/p>\n
\u2013 Maduro and ‘Super Cilita’ \u2013<\/p>\n
The image of Maduro handcuffed and blindfolded as US forces transported him to New York to face trial made headlines around the world.<\/p>\n
During months in the crosshairs of US President Donald Trump, who accused him of being a drug trafficker, the 63-year-old former bus driver deflected pressure by dancing to techno music at near-daily rallies, always broadcast live, as he chanted the mantra “No war, yes peace!” — in English.<\/p>\n
Frequently underestimated, Maduro managed to eliminate internal resistance and keep the opposition at bay.<\/p>\n
Murals, songs and films celebrated him, as did the animated cartoon “Super Moustache,” in which he appeared as a superhero, fighting imperialism alongside “Super Cilita,” who is based on Flores.<\/p>\n
Toy figurines of both characters were also produced.<\/p>\n
The military swore absolute loyalty to him, led by Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez.<\/p>\n
Though defiant at first and calling for Maduro’s return, Venezuela’s interim leader Rodriguez called for a “balanced and respectful relationship” between the South American country and the United States on Sunday.<\/p>\n
“The top level of government has survival as its absolute priority,” Antulio Rosales, political scientist and professor at York University in Canada, told AFP.<\/p>\n
\u2013 The Rodriguez siblings \u2013<\/p>\n
Rodriguez controlled the economy and the oil industry as vice president while her brother Jorge is the speaker of parliament.<\/p>\n
They are known for their incendiary rhetoric, often mixing belligerence, irony and insults against the “enemies of the fatherland.”<\/p>\n
But behind the scenes, they are skilled political operators.<\/p>\n
Jorge Rodriguez was the chief negotiator with the opposition and the United States, and his sister represented Maduro in various international forums.<\/p>\n
Experts also attribute purges within government to them, such as one that sent Tareck El Aissami, a powerful oil minister until 2023, to prison.<\/p>\n
Rodriguez took over his post shortly afterwards.<\/p>\n
\u2013 The feared policeman \u2013<\/p>\n
Diosdado Cabello meanwhile is widely feared in Venezuela. Under his ministry, some 2,400 people were detained during protests that followed Maduro’s disputed re-election in 2024, in a move that cowed the opposition.<\/p>\n
Cabello is seen as representing the most radical wing of “Chavismo,” and some see him at odds with the pragmatism of the Rodriguez pair, though both sides have denied this.<\/p>\n
Cabello acted as president for a few hours when Chavez was overthrown for two days in 2002.<\/p>\n
He accompanied Chavez in a failed coup attempt in 1992. Today he is number two in the Socialist Party behind Maduro.<\/p>\n
The US courts have now named Cabello among those wanted for trial alongside Maduro.<\/p>\n
They have offered $25 million for his capture.<\/p>\n
Having kept a low profile in the hours after Maduro’s capture, he appeared by Rodriguez’s side at her first cabinet meeting as acting president on Sunday.<\/p>\n
jt\/pgf\/rlp\/cb\/sla\/ane\/cms<\/p>\n
\u00a9 Agence France-Presse<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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