Maduro’s heirs: human rights violators, corrupt enforcers and ruthless loyalists

Fox News - WorldCenter-RightEN 5 min read 100% complete by Efrat LachterDecember 13, 2025 at 07:00 PM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Experts warn that Nicolás Maduro's downfall could lead to a power vacuum dominated by drug cartels, guerrilla factions, and armed warlords in Venezuela. The Trump administration's pressure on Venezuela may not only target Maduro but also an entrenched ecosystem of non-state armed groups that have embedded themselves across the country for decades. Analysts say the trajectory is binary, with either escalation and conflict or a controlled collapse leading to a new power dynamic. If Maduro falls, experts fear that powerful actors, including María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, may attempt to seize power. Alternatively, Diosdado Cabello could emerge as a dominant figure in the regime. The US policy faces a complex landscape with multiple stakeholders vying for control.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Council on Foreign Relations 30% United States ×250% Nicolás Maduro ×9100% Venezuela ×8100%

Keywords

armed warlords 90% maduro 90% post-maduro venezuela 80% guerrilla factions 80% venezuela 80% drug cartels 70% regime-aligned militias 70% us pressure campaign 60%