### CIA's Assessment: Maduro Loyalists Positioned for Stability in Venezuela In a recent classified report, the CIA has concluded that senior officials loyal to Nicolás Maduro, particularly Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, are best suited to lead Venezuela in the event of Maduro's removal. This assessment was presented to President Donald Trump, who was informed that the opposition would likely struggle to maintain a stable government. The intelligence analysis emphasizes the importance of continuity and control over military and state institutions, suggesting that regime loyalists could provide a more stable transition than opposition figures [https://www.livemint.com/global/cia-concluded-regime-loyalists-were-best-placed-to-lead-venezuela-after-maduro-11767699049036.html][https://www.deccanherald.com/world/cia-concludes-regime-loyalists-best-suited-to-lead-venezuela-3852723]. ### Structure of the CIA's Findings and Implications 1. **Assessment of Leadership**: The CIA's analysis indicates that Maduro loyalists, including Delcy Rodríguez, are positioned to ensure stability post-Maduro. 2. **Opposition Challenges**: The report suggests that the Venezuelan opposition, particularly figures like María Corina Machado, may lack the necessary support and respect to lead effectively. 3. **Strategic Decision by Trump**: Trump's decision to back Rodríguez over opposition leaders was influenced by the CIA's findings, prioritizing stability over a potentially risky political transition. 4. **Military Control**: The analysis highlights that regime loyalists have deeper control over military and state institutions, which is crucial for maintaining order during a leadership change [https://www.firstpost.com/world/top-secret-cia-report-behind-trump-decision-to-back-delcy-rodrigues-as-maduros-replacement-report-13965892.html][https://www.geo.tv/latest/643500-cia-concludes-best-suited-to-lead-venezuela-after-maduro]. ### Supporting Evidence from the CIA Report - **Key Figures Identified**: The CIA specifically named Delcy Rodríguez and other senior Maduro loyalists as the most capable leaders for a transitional government. - **Stability Over Change**: The report underscores a preference for continuity in leadership to avoid chaos, suggesting that regime insiders are more likely to maintain order than opposition leaders. - **Trump's Public Statements**: In a press conference, Trump expressed doubts about Machado's ability to lead, citing a lack of respect and support within the country, which aligns with the CIA's assessment [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/politics/3750808-inside-the-cia-assessment-on-venezuelas-power-dynamics][https://thedailybs.com/2026/01/06/trump-kept-venezuela-under-maduro-loyalists-after-cia-flagged-opposition-risks-report]. ### Conclusion: Implications of the CIA's Assessment on Venezuelan Leadership The CIA's assessment presents a clear picture of the current political landscape in Venezuela, suggesting that: 1. **Loyalists as Interim Leaders**: Maduro loyalists are deemed the most suitable to lead in the short term, ensuring stability in a potentially volatile transition. 2. **Risks of Opposition Leadership**: The opposition's lack of military support and internal respect poses significant risks for governance if they were to take power. 3. **Strategic U.S. Positioning**: The U.S. administration's decision to support regime loyalists reflects a strategic choice to prioritize stability over a complete political overhaul. This analysis indicates a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Venezuela, focusing on maintaining order through established power structures rather than embracing a potentially destabilizing change [https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-01-06/trump-followed-cia-recommendation-to-hand-power-to-delcy-rodriguez-due-to-risk-that-machado-would-not-control-the-army.html][https://www.marketscreener.com/news/cia-concludes-regime-loyalists-best-suited-to-lead-venezuela-after-maduro-wsj-reports-ce7e59dede89ff24].