Power Structure in Venezuela Remains Unchanged despite Maduro’s Exit, Analyst Says
Even though President Nicolas Maduro may no longer be at the forefront, the political and military system he led continues to firmly control Venezuela, according to analysts and local journalists. Key figures from Maduro’s former administration are still holding decisive power over the country’s major institutions in Caracas, suggesting that real change has yet to occur.
Noris Argotte Soto, a Venezuelan reporter based in the capital, told Al Jazeera that the country’s authority is currently concentrated in the hands of three top officials. She explained that the military power of the state is largely controlled by Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Meanwhile, political messaging, reactions, and public discourse are being managed by the newly appointed interim president, Delcy Rodríguez.
“If you ask me who is running the country in terms of military force, you could say it’s the defence minister and the interior minister,” Soto said. “But political reactions and speech are in the hands of the interim president. So basically, these three people are the ones running the country right now.”
According to Soto, despite changes in leadership titles, the structure of governance remains intact. She emphasized that daily realities for citizens have not shifted, adding that “nothing has changed, in fact.”
She also highlighted the continued presence of pro-government paramilitary groups known as colectivos. These groups, which have long been accused by critics of intimidating opposition supporters, remain active on the streets of Caracas. Soto noted that the colectivos are still working alongside military forces, participating in security operations across the capital.
The ongoing influence of these armed civilian groups, combined with the continued dominance of key Maduro-era officials, reinforces concerns that Venezuela’s political transition may be more symbolic than substantive. Observers say the situation points to a continuity of power rather than a genuine transformation of governance in the country.
