US ‘in secret talks’ with Venezuela’s socialist party boss in bid to end political crisis

Diosdado Cabello, considered the most powerful man in Venezuela after President Nicolas Maduro, is believed to be involved in the talks

He reportedly met a person last month in Caracas who is in close contact with the administration of President Donald Trump

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Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (right) speaks with United Socialist Party of Venezuela Vice-President Diosdado Cabello in January. Photo: AP

Published: 12:06pm, 19 Aug 2019Updated: 9:12pm, 19 Aug 2019

The United States has made secret contact with Venezuela’s socialist party boss as close allies of President Nicolas Maduro seek guarantees that they will not face prosecution for alleged abuses and crimes if they cede to growing demands to remove him.

Diosdado Cabello, who is considered the most powerful man in Venezuela after Maduro, met last month in Caracas with someone who is in close contact with the administration of President Donald Trump, according to a a senior US administration official. A second meeting is in the works but has not yet taken place.

The intermediary’s name and details of the encounter with Cabello have been withheld out of concern the person could suffer reprisals. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because of a lack of authorisation to discuss the talks, which are still in the preliminary stages. It is not clear whether the talks have Maduro’s approval or not.

Cabello, 56, is a major power broker inside Venezuela, who has seen his influence in the government and security forces expand as Maduro’s grip on power has weakened. But he is also been accused by US officials of being behind massive corruption, drug trafficking and even death threats against a sitting US senator.

The administration official said that under no circumstances is the US looking to prop up Cabello or pave the way for him to substitute Maduro. Instead, the goal of the outreach is to ratchet up pressure on the regime by contributing to the knife fight the US believes is taking place behind the scenes among competing circles of power within the ruling party.

Diosdado Cabello is a major power broker in Venezuela. Photo: AFP