State of the World from NPR Venezuela: Who’s in Charge Now?
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Jan 8, 2026 
Join Carrie Kahn, NPR's correspondent in Bogota, who dives into the current state of Venezuela's leadership, highlighting the persistence of figures like Diosdado Cabello and Delcy Rodríguez's practical approach to navigating the complex political landscape. Jackie Northam offers insights into the surprising escalation of U.S. military actions under President Trump, probing how these decisions reflect a shift in foreign policy and impact global relations. Both guests illuminate the nuances of power dynamics and international confrontations that shape today's world.
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Migrants Beg For Regime Change
- Calidiana Matasadeño rushed out of the Venezuelan embassy in Bogota eager to return home after Maduro's arrest.
- She told President Trump to remove the regime before migrants can safely go back.
Security Chiefs Keep Real Power
- Diosdado Cabello and Vladimir Padrino remain powerful enforcers in Venezuela's security apparatus despite U.S. charges and sanctions.
- Their visible loyalty to interim president Delce Rodriguez signals continuity rather than a break from the old regime.
Pragmatist Now Faces Tightrope
- Delce Rodriguez is a pragmatic manager who improved parts of the oil sector and reached out to business and Wall Street.
- Her challenge is balancing hardliners at home with appeasing U.S. demands after Trump's threats.