Diosdado Cabello, the unpredictable go-between in Venezuela

"A shadow has been cast over the offices, barracks, embassies and cafes of Caracas and also of Washington since January 3. It is the shadow of a man many fear. The future of the new Venezuela is in his hands; whether or not the country descends into chaos rests on his shoulders. Diosdado Cabello is a military man who represents Chavismo at its most radical. He is also at the center of this unprecedented period in which the regime dialogues with Washington."

"All eyes are on him, some more skeptical than others. For some, he is the greatest threat to the leadership of the new president, Delcy Rodriguez, the actor capable of blowing up the current fragile balance at any moment. For others, he is the silent guarantee that this unexpected turn of events would not have happened without his consent. Diosdado, nicknamed for a time Diostodo the Almighty could be both."

"For two weeks, analysts, diplomats, intelligence services and Venezuelans themselves have been trying to work out what is going through Cabello's head when he appears at public events with Delcy Rodriguez and her brother Jorge, the new leaders of a Maduro-free Venezuela. His control over the security apparatus and armed militias is fueling fears in Washington that he could become unpredictable and jeopardize transition plans, Reuters has reported."

Diosdado Cabello controls security forces, armed militias and interior ministry levers, making him decisive for Venezuela's transition. He appears alongside new president Delcy Rodriguez and her brother Jorge, prompting uncertainty over his intentions. Some view him as a threat who could disrupt fragile balance; others see him as guarantor of the transition because consent likely underpinned the turn. He has begun reforming the armed forces, dismissing and appointing officers. His political survival has depended on opportunistic loyalty to the revolution when that loyalty preserves his power. His unpredictability fuels concern in Washington and among Venezuelans about potential disruption of transition plans.

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