In February US President Trump had indicated that military intervention might be a good option to resolve the deadlock in Venezuela. And now, US has made contact with Diosdado Cabello, Venezuela's socialist party boss, a close ally of Nicolas Maduro.
Those in the inner circle seek guarantees they won't face prosecution for alleged abuses and crimes if they cede to growing demands to remove him, according to a senior Trump administration official.
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 Trump administration, the Trump admin official said. A second meeting is in the works. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Trump in the meantime, suggested that navy ships should be stationed around Venezuela to prevent goods from entering and exiting the country multiple times. The talks between the senior party member and US administration is still in its preliminary stages. It's 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. He has also been accused by US officials of being behind massive corruption, drug trafficking and even death threats against a sitting US senator.
Owing to the chaotic situation in Venezuela, several people have died due to lack of food and proper nutrition, they have been facing power outages and water shortage for days together and besides this, ever-tightening US sanctions on the nation is causing the economy of the oil-rich nation to collapse.
Similar contacts exist with other top Venezuelan insiders, the official added. Also, US administration not yet looking for Cabello to be propped up to replace Maduro. The goal 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.
To break the stalemate, some conspirators are looking to the US to devise a plan to protect government insiders who turn against Maduro from future prosecution.
