The classified CIA briefing shown to President Trump asserts that the most hope for Venezuelan stability, if Maduro falls from power, rests with those who remain faithful to Maduro—namely Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, sources with knowledge of the issue told Bloomberg.
These sources communicated this anonymously, noting that this analysis had been shown to a small circle in Trump’s leadership team on national security, influencing their decision to support Rodríguez instead of opposition leader María Corina Machado.
“President Trump is briefed on global political dynamics,” said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday when asked about the CIA briefing. “The president and his national security team continue to make smart decisions that align Venezuela with the United States and provide for improved conditions for Venezuelans.”
Rodríguez, Maduro’s vice president, a high-ranking official within Maduro’s government, has shown inclination towards cooperating with the U.S. She plays an important role within the U.S.-initiated plan that ensures a stable government within Venezuela after the January 3 military coup against Maduro.
Machado, an opposition leader, spoke publicly for the first time since Maduro was ousted, disqualifying Rodríguez as Interim President. In an exclusive interview with Fox News Network, Machado spoke from an unknown location, condemning Rodríguez as one of the main planners of torture, persecution, corruption, and drug trafficking, and indicated her return to Venezuela as soon as possible.
