Is there really a new chapter?
General Francis L. Donovan, the man who commands US forces in Latin America, was in Caracas this Wednesday. He met with Delcy Rodríguez, the president in charge since Nicolás Maduro was deposed and captured by a US raid almost two months ago.
The US diplomatic office in X said they were “productive meetings.” Sounds good, right? But after years of sanctions and complete breakdown, one wonders: productive for whom?
“The conversations focused on the security environment, on the steps necessary to guarantee the implementation of President Donald Trump’s three-phase plan—particularly the stabilization of Venezuela—,” the official statement highlighted.
There is the key. It’s not just a courtesy visit. It’s about the Trump administration’s plan for the country. A plan that now needs the Venezuelan military on Maduro’s side to work.
The hidden agenda: drugs and migrants
Donovan didn’t just see Rodriguez. He also sat down with the Minister of Defense, Vladimir Padrino López, and with Diosdado Cabello, a historic Chavista. According to Venezuelan Minister Miguel Ángel Pérez Pirela, they agreed to design a joint agenda.
“Both countries agreed to work on the design of a bilateral cooperation agenda to combat the trafficking of illicit substances in our region, terrorism and migration,” said Pérez Pirela.
Translation: Washington needs Caracas to stop the flow of cocaine into its streets and control the massive departure of Venezuelans to its borders. In return, it offers… stability.
It’s a brutal turn. The same Padrino López and Cabello who for years were pointed out by Washington as part of the problem, are now necessary partners for “shared security.” Realpolitik in its purest form.
Rodríguez has harshly criticized the capture of Maduro—who remains imprisoned in New York, declaring his innocence—but since he took office he has pushed to resume ties. He knows that without some type of understanding with the United States, the economy will not recover.
The embassies have been closed since 2019, when Trump recognized Juan Guaidó as interim president. Now everything is different. Or at least that’s what they want to make it seem like.
Is this a true reset or just a marriage of convenience while the crisis lasts? The history between these two countries suggests the latter. But for now, they talk.
