Diosdado Cabello is the interior minister of Venezuela. After Nicolás Maduro's capture by American forces on January 3rd 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. He is regarded as one of the powerful figures who could try to persuade Trump to change horses or gamble on a coup; Venezuela's oil and other resources are a tempting prize for any would-be leader.
Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.