DIVISIONS EMERGE WITHIN VENEZUELA’S RULING MOVEMENT AFTER MADURO’S CAPTURE, AND CRITICS CHALLENGE RODRÍGUEZ'S LEADERSHIP. (PHOTO).

 Divisions emerge within Venezuela’s ruling movement after Maduro’s capture, and critics challenge Rodríguez's leadership

For nearly three decades, the rallying cry “United, we will win!” symbolized the cohesion of Venezuela’s Chavista movement, the political revolution launched by Hugo Chávez that maintained power through a combination of loyal supporters, military backing, and a strong anti-U.S. message. At public events, demonstrations, and on state television, supporters repeated the slogan as a sign of solidarity with the socialist government and its leadership. But in recent months, signs of division have emerged within the movement following the January capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces and the rise of acting President Delcy Rodríguez.

Rodríguez has overseen a series of significant changes since taking power, including reversing some Chávez-era policies, releasing political prisoners, reshaping her administration, and advancing reforms to Venezuela’s oil industry. Her government has also taken steps viewed by critics as accommodating U.S. interests, leading to growing frustration among longtime Chavista figures who once stood firmly behind the ruling movement.

The tensions became more visible after the deportation of a former government minister to face criminal investigations in the United States and Rodríguez’s approval of a U.S. military training exercise in Caracas. Those developments sparked criticism from influential supporters who argue the government is abandoning core principles of the revolution.

Among the critics is Mario Silva, a longtime state television host and vocal government ally who lost his program after Maduro’s capture. Silva condemned the deportation of Alex Saab, a close Maduro associate, arguing it violated constitutional protections. He also claimed key decisions within the Venezuelan government were being influenced by officials at the U.S. Embassy.

Speaking during a livestream, Silva warned that Venezuela was facing growing foreign influence and described the situation as dangerous for the country’s future. His comments reflected concerns shared by others who view Rodríguez’s policies as a sharp departure from the anti-American stance that defined Chavismo for decades.

Public opposition to the government’s new direction has also appeared on the streets. A small protest took place in Caracas after U.S. Marine Corps Osprey aircraft landed at the U.S. Embassy as part of a military training exercise. Demonstrators carried a Venezuelan flag bearing a message opposing the drill. While attendance was relatively low, the demonstration highlighted unease among some supporters of the former government.

Former Vice President Elías Jaua, who served under both Chávez and Maduro, publicly criticized the military exercise and warned against what he described as the normalization of foreign influence in Venezuela. He said Venezuelans should be aware of what he viewed as an increasingly humiliating situation for the nation.

For years, Chávez, Maduro and Rodríguez herself argued that the United States sought control of Venezuela’s vast oil resources. Following Maduro’s removal, the oil industry has undergone major changes, opening further to private investment. The Trump administration now oversees aspects of Venezuelan oil sales and revenue management as part of a broader effort to stabilize the country.

Venezuela continues to grapple with the effects of a prolonged political, economic and social crisis that intensified after Maduro took office in 2013. The turmoil drove more than 7.7 million people to leave the country and pushed millions more into poverty. Despite repeated anti-government protests and years of sanctions, the ruling movement remained intact until recent events began exposing internal disagreements.

Some former officials argue the divisions are driven less by ideology and more by personal interests. Andrés Izarra, who served as communications minister under Chávez and later as tourism minister under Maduro, said the movement effectively lost its ideological foundation after Chávez’s death in 2013. He contends that many current disputes stem from struggles over influence, power and resources rather than principles.

Signs of dissatisfaction have even surfaced on state television. During a recent appearance on a program hosted by Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, Colombian leftist activist Manuel Caicedo questioned the government’s efforts to secure the release of Maduro and former first lady Cilia Flores from U.S. custody. His remarks appeared to catch officials off guard and underscored growing frustration among some allies.

Adding to the speculation, Venezuelan lawmaker Iris Varela suggested during a podcast appearance that someone within the government may have helped facilitate Maduro’s removal. Rumors of an internal betrayal have circulated since President Donald Trump announced Maduro’s capture on Jan. 3, though no evidence has emerged to support those claims.

As Rodríguez continues to reshape the government and pursue policies that differ from the Chávez and Maduro eras, the once-unified Chavista movement appears increasingly divided. Longtime supporters who once marched in lockstep are now openly debating the future of the revolution, the country’s relationship with the United States and the legacy of the political movement that has dominated Venezuela for nearly three decades.