Diosdado Cabello Allegedly Cooperating with U.S. Authorities for Possible Exit from Venezuela

Diosdado Cabello, a prominent figure within the Venezuelan regime and former Interior Minister, is reportedly working with U.S. intelligence and legal authorities. This revelation was made by journalist David Alandete in Spain's ABC newspaper.

Sourced from anonymous contacts within U.S. intelligence agencies, Alandete claims that Cabello's cooperation began on January 3, 2026, coinciding with the capture of Nicolás Maduro. This information has yet to receive official confirmation from the Department of Justice or any public governmental source.

The report suggests Cabello is labeled as "CC-1" — co-conspirator number one — in a federal indictment expanded on October 8 by a New York grand jury against Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. This indictment includes charges of drug trafficking, narcoterrorism, torture, and weapons use. Official confirmation of Cabello's identification remains unverified.

Potential Outcomes for Cabello

Washington has purportedly devised two potential scenarios for Cabello: extradition to the United States should he refuse cooperation, or relocation to a third country if he continues to participate in a political transition. Alandete notes, “It's not necessarily about arresting him and bringing him to the U.S. If he keeps cooperating, he might be moved out of Venezuela to another country. My source points to Turkey or Qatar as possible destinations. And there is an aircraft ready."

Reports indicate the existence of a specific aircraft that has operated between Turkey and Qatar. This plane may have already been used to transport individuals associated with Cabello, as well as his assets, out of Venezuela. Previously, ABC reported on the departure of two of Cabello's children from the country, considered part of preparations for a potential evacuation.

Cabello's Legal Troubles

Cabello's legal history with the United States is extensive. In March 2020, the Department of Justice formally charged him with conspiracy to commit narcoterrorism, conspiracy to import cocaine, and firearms offenses, identifying him as a central figure in the "Cartel of the Suns" in collaboration with the FARC.

Federal files also accuse him of overseeing torture through SEBIN and the General Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and personally visiting clandestine airstrips controlled by the ELN along the Colombia-Venezuela border to ensure cocaine trafficking. By January 2025, the reward for his capture had been increased to $25 million, remaining in effect for months thereafter.

Judicial Crackdown on the Chavista Leadership

This revelation comes amid an unprecedented judicial crackdown on Venezuela's Chavista leadership. Since Maduro's capture, the interim government led by President Delcy Rodríguez has extradited at least two individuals linked to the regime to U.S. authorities: Alex Saab, who was transferred in May 2026 and pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges, and businessman Álvaro Pulido Vargas, accused of over $2 billion in fraudulent contracts.

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that Tareck El Aissami and Maikel Moreno might be the next to be handed over, although no official confirmation of dates or agreements has been provided.

When Alandete questioned President Donald Trump about the judicial future of Venezuelan regime figures, Trump responded bluntly: "Maduro has been indicted again. There are many in the Venezuelan regime who have been indicted. Well, this is going to continue, but he did very bad things. We've achieved something very good in Venezuela."