Diosdado Cabello is the interior minister of Venezuela. After Nicolás Maduro's capture by American forces in early 2026, Mr Cabello dispatched colectivos—armed pro-regime vigilantes on motorbikes—to roam the streets and set up roadblocks, signalling that there was no power vacuum. He backed Delcy Rodríguez, the vice-president who was sworn in as acting president. Mr Cabello is regarded as one of the powerful figures who could try to persuade Donald Trump to change horses or gamble on a coup; Venezuela's oil and other resources are a tempting prize for any would-be leader.
Sometimes when you look into his eyes you get the feeling that someone else is driving.