I have been very critical of the reckless statements made over the last three days. If you notice, when Comrade Díaz-Canel goes to the Anti-Imperialist Tribune, the relevant authorities already know what happened there, and our casualties were being confirmed. Everything must be handled confidentially and responsibly. Cuba is part of the war; the last direct confrontation with Yankee forces was in Grenada 42 years ago (October 1983).

The days go by, and as time passes, information and situations come to light, while others remain in the shadows of the investigation. Political maneuvers continue, and those in the worst position are the Yankees. The reasons are obvious. The only “positive” thing is that they have two “narco-terrorists” in prison. But they have some unresolved problems:

01.- They were unable to establish a bridgehead in Venezuelan territory in Caracas, at La Carlota base.
02.- Not a single liter of oil.
03.- The National Assembly has reinstated the Chavista leadership, with the support of even the opposition.
04.- The Executive Vice President assumes her powers, in accordance with the Constitution. Her statements are EXACTLY the same as those made by Nicolás Maduro to journalist Ignacio Ramonet three days earlier. I will upload the video so you can hear and read both.
05.- The Venezuelan exiles are happy, and none of them plan to return to Venezuela. What patriots!
06.- An opposition dynamited by Donald Trump himself.
07.- Venezuela continues to be called the “Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
08.- The Armed Forces continue to be called the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB).
09.- Diosdado Cabello continues to be responsible for the country’s security and is second in command of the party after Maduro.
10.- Maduro remains the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
11.- All Chavista power remains exactly the same at all levels and in all territories, whether at the national or regional level. Governorships, mayoralties.
12.- The entire economic apparatus continues to function as usual, and the government is the same Chavista government as always.
13.- Nicolás Maduro’s son, a deputy in the National Assembly, expressed his unconditional support for Delcy Rodríguez. Did the son also betray his father?

Ah, are they being threatened, warned, pressured, etc., etc., etc.? No one can deny it, but will it have any effect? I very much doubt it. If you review the statements, the only ones who are changing are the Yankees, not the Chavistas, who have taken a series of legal measures.

Lessons learned? Many. Was there betrayal? That has been the constant question, I believe, but I have been careful, because what I believe is not what people believe. I think it was a long-term operation, with inside information. There was no institutional betrayal, but rather betrayal from the inner circle, which was operational. I could be wrong, but I think it was at the level of the military headquarters near the White Palace, which handles everything related to presidential security.

They managed to place their team in Caracas, just as Mossad did in Tehran, and some SBU and GRU have done in Russia. Cuba cannot let the enemy get close to the interior of the country, and the enemy has a bone to pick with Cuba, which is the biggest one it could have, and as I already explained, time is what is weighing on Trump.

We know the path and profile of the individuals they can potentially recruit. Today we are in a dangerous situation, not because they are coming to take Cuba, as I have already said, Venezuela cannot, geographically, be taken. Cuba, yes, with a big difference, there would be no Cubans left, and they would also lose many thousands… they know that.

We already have the picture: an external struggle, with Maduro and Flores, who legally remains the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, turning his trial into a political process against Yankee interference, a clear violation of international law. The beginning of a movement to support Maduro and Venezuela, not only around the world, but also in the US itself.

Internally, there is ongoing mobilization with a clear objective, which generates two situations: the presumption of innocence makes Maduro an accused person and not a guilty one, and all these times are decisive for the Bolivarian Revolution.

The Yankees will have to choose whether to act on their Monriana bravado, whether in Cuba, Colombia, Mexico, or Venezuela itself. And where they have the most trouble is with Cuba. Why? Because economically, it is of no benefit to Trump, only an expense, and because militarily, it has too high a cost. Cuba will be defended by all the peoples of the world, and not necessarily with demonstrations alone… I don’t know if that makes sense.

So, for some, Trump suddenly became a credible, honest guy who tells the truth, doesn’t lie, and doesn’t manipulate facts to achieve his goals. The objective truth is that Trump is a convicted felon, prosecuted for crimes and accused of pedophilia, who lied in foreign policy when talking about Gaza, Ukraine, Venezuela (fentanyl, cocaine, immigrants released from prisons and mental hospitals, etc.), tariffs, and many other issues. Trump, the credible one.

But then why does Trump insist that Delcy must cooperate and “is cooperating”?

1.- Trump says this not to convince Venezuelans, but rather to convince Americans. He wants to project the image that he is in control of the situation and that there will be no “chaos the day after” he kidnaps the Venezuelan head of state.

2.- Trump wants to break the Chavista leadership in Caracas, and if he has to generate intrigue to do so, it is an effective and inexpensive method.

3.- He exerts pressure and intimidation, asserting that he will take control of the country. His card is force, and he is using it.

4.- At the same time that he indicated that Delcy was “collaborating,” he also threatened her with “a fate worse than Maduro’s” if she did not submit to his authority. The threat is unnecessary if Delcy was supposedly co-opted.

5.- Trump cannot maintain internal order in Venezuela unless he sends troops like he did in Iraq. He does not want to do that. Only Chavismo can guarantee internal order. And both sides agree on the need for that order. So Trump makes it seem that something Chavismo will do out of its own conviction is being done for him. He wants to appease the Americans who criticize him.

6.- Trump insists on a transition that must be carried out by the Chavismo leadership itself, but supervised by the US. This is the most vague part of his proposal, but to make it clearer, he dismissed María Corina Machado. However, he does not set deadlines, he talks about oil, oil infrastructure, etc., and then, if anything, elections. To do that, he must say that he controls Delcy, even if it is not true. Saying “I control” is the best way to cover up the bottom line: “he needs Chavismo in charge, Delcy,” to present his strategy as the winner the “day after” Maduro.

The other question: why does Delcy Rodríguez indicate that it is necessary to have relations of respect, mutual recognition, and cooperation after what has happened?

1.- Maduro, Venezuela, has been the country that has most defended the implementation of energy agreements with the US. Venezuela was the one that defended Chevron’s position in the face of Trump’s new sanctions. Why? Because putting US interests in Venezuela is a way of protecting its own oil industry from the same sanctions that come from one US government to another. To do this, it is necessary to establish relations.

2.- It is true that Maduro himself, even under the worst threats (such as those now hanging over Delcy), insisted on the importance of dialogue. That was public and well known.

3.- Delcy insists that Maduro is being held hostage and her first decision as acting president is to create a commission for his release. As in any kidnapping situation, you cannot burn your bridges with the kidnapper. You must negotiate. You must mediate.

4.- Trump is a megalomaniac narcissist. Delcy understands his psychology, especially now that she has the position of power and proven ability to execute it. She is also an excellent communicator and negotiator, capable of adapting to the context. Let’s try to understand not the form, but the substance.

5.- In his own way, Trump needs to build bridges. He kidnapped Maduro, but he has not achieved regime change. To a large extent, he depends on Chavismo in Caracas. In his own way, Trump prefers to say, “I’m in control,” rather than, “I have to negotiate.” Delcy must be in tune with that.