Sources familiar with the matter say communication channels remained open even after the January 3 raid, highlighting Cabello’s central role in post-Maduro stability.

According to multiple officials, the talks began early in the current Trump administration and continued right up to Maduro’s ouster.

These communications were aimed at managing risks inside Venezuela and preventing a violent backlash from security forces loyal to Cabello.

US officials reportedly warned Cabello against using the intelligence services, police, military units, or pro-government militias under his influence to target political opponents.

Those forces largely survived the raid intact and still represent the strongest coercive power inside the country.

Cabello, aged 62, was named in the same US drug trafficking indictment used to justify Maduro’s arrest. Despite this, he was not detained during the operation, raising questions among analysts and lawmakers.

Sources said discussions with Cabello also touched on US sanctions imposed against him and the criminal indictment he faces. The talks continued in the weeks after Maduro’s removal, underscoring Washington’s concern about preventing internal chaos.

US officials believe that if Cabello were to mobilize the forces he controls, it could destabilize Venezuela and threaten interim President Delcy Rodriguez’s hold on power.

Maintaining communication with him is seen as a way to reduce that risk during the fragile transition period.

It remains unclear whether the discussions included any understanding about Venezuela’s future governance structure. There is also uncertainty over whether Cabello has complied with US warnings to avoid repression.

Publicly, Cabello has pledged unity with Rodriguez, whom President Donald Trump has praised as a key partner in the post-Maduro phase.
Behind the scenes, however, Cabello is widely viewed as a potential spoiler.

Rodriguez is considered the cornerstone of Washington’s strategy for stabilizing Venezuela while accessing its vast oil reserves. Cabello’s influence could either reinforce that plan or derail it entirely.

Sources said Cabello has communicated with the US both directly and through intermediaries. All sources requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions.

The White House and the Venezuelan government did not respond to requests for comment. The communications have not been previously disclosed.

Cabello has long been regarded as Venezuela’s second most powerful figure. A former military officer and close ally of late President Hugo Chavez, he later became Maduro’s most feared enforcer.

He has wielded control over military intelligence, civilian counterintelligence agencies, and pro-government militias known as colectivos. These armed groups have been accused of violently suppressing protests and intimidating opponents.

Although Cabello and Rodriguez have worked within the same power structures for years, they are not considered close allies. Their rivalry adds another layer of uncertainty to Venezuela’s political transition.

US officials worry Cabello’s history of repression and internal power struggles could undermine reforms. At the same time, Washington sees him as necessary to maintain short-term order.

In 2020, the US indicted Cabello as a key figure in an alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking network. A reward for information leading to his arrest has since risen to 25 million dollars.

Cabello has consistently denied any involvement in drug trafficking. He has also publicly condemned US intervention, stating that Venezuela will not surrender.

Following Maduro’s removal, reports of aggressive security checkpoints have declined. Both the US and Venezuelan authorities say some political prisoners are being released, though rights groups argue progress is slow.

Cabello, as interior minister, is overseeing the release process. Hundreds of detainees reportedly remain in custody.

Families gathered outside detention facilities with renewed hope, as the releases signaled a potential opening for dialogue and confidence-building measures within the country’s broader social landscape.

Rights groups have consistently called for the release of detainees over the years, highlighting the importance of humanitarian considerations, legal transparency, and the reunification of families separated by prolonged detentions.

The recent increase from earlier figures has been viewed as an encouraging sign by observers, who say even limited progress can help reduce tensions and create space for further constructive actions.

Community advocates emphasized that the release of detainees carries emotional significance beyond numbers, as it restores personal freedoms and allows families to begin rebuilding lives disrupted by uncertainty.

They also noted that such steps can contribute positively to Venezuela’s international image, particularly when they are framed around reconciliation, stability, and social healing.

Officials and civil society figures alike have described the releases as gestures aimed at promoting calm and demonstrating responsiveness to humanitarian appeals made by domestic and international organizations.

Supporters of dialogue believe these actions can lay the groundwork for broader confidence-building measures that benefit citizens and reinforce the value of peaceful engagement.

Human rights monitors continue to observe developments closely, stressing the need for clear communication, consistent processes, and transparent frameworks governing any future releases.

They argue that predictability and openness are essential to ensure trust among families, communities, and institutions, while also safeguarding the dignity of those affected.

The presence of family members outside detention centers underscored the human dimension of the situation, with relatives waiting patiently for news, sheltering from the elements, and sharing cautious optimism.

Such scenes highlighted how deeply detention issues resonate across society, cutting across political views and focusing attention on shared humanitarian values.

Advocacy groups reiterated that sustained progress matters more than isolated steps, encouraging authorities to continue building on this momentum in a way that prioritizes social cohesion.

They also emphasized the importance of cooperation with legal bodies and humanitarian organizations to ensure that releases are carried out fairly and responsibly.

Observers noted that gradual improvements, even when limited in scale, can help stabilize the broader environment by reducing anxiety and signaling openness to peaceful solutions.

They added that consistent humanitarian gestures often contribute to restoring confidence among citizens and encouraging a more hopeful outlook for the future.

While comprehensive data on the total number of detainees remains a subject of ongoing discussion, rights organizations continue their efforts to document cases and provide support to affected families.

Their work focuses on advocacy, legal assistance, and awareness, aiming to ensure that humanitarian considerations remain central to public discourse.

Overall, the rise in confirmed releases has been welcomed as a constructive development, offering a sense of relief to families and reinforcing calls for continued dialogue.

Many observers believe that maintaining this trajectory could play a meaningful role in fostering stability, trust, and a more positive national atmosphere over time.