In the days leading up to his capture by U.S. special forces, Nicolás Maduro was at the center of a covert international diplomatic effort aimed at removing him from power without resorting to military intervention.
As reported by The Washington Post, secret meetings, asylum offers, and high-level mediations marked a race against the clock that ultimately ended in failure. The investigation, based on government documents and testimonies from nearly twenty sources, highlights the complexity of this diplomatic initiative.
One of the most delicate moments unfolded on Christmas Eve when Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's second-in-command and an experienced diplomatic mediator, urgently summoned the U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. Parolin sought clarity regarding Washington's plans for Venezuela.
According to the documents cited by The Washington Post, Parolin acknowledged that Maduro needed to step down but insisted on offering him a safe exit to prevent bloodshed and further regional destabilization.
The Vatican was not acting alone. For years, Russia, a strategic ally of Caracas, was prepared to grant asylum to Maduro and key members of his circle, with security guarantees backed by Vladimir Putin himself, according to a source quoted by the American newspaper. The proposal included allowing Maduro to leave the country and retain part of his fortune, but the Venezuelan leader never accepted the offer.
Over several weeks, intermediaries from Qatar, Turkey, and unofficial envoys attempted to persuade Maduro to leave. Discussions included exile alternatives in Turkish territory and last-minute warnings about an imminent operation. None of these efforts succeeded.
Sources familiar with the negotiations suggest that the Venezuelan leader underestimated Washington's signals and bet that the U.S. would not take the final step.
Meanwhile, the White House was fine-tuning a plan for the "day after." Influenced by intelligence assessments, the Trump administration decided to distance itself from the traditional opposition and began considering Delcy Rodríguez, the vice president and a central figure in Chavismo, as a viable option to lead a controlled transition.
According to The Washington Post, the calculation was that a change from within the power structure had a better chance of maintaining state control and avoiding institutional collapse.
The negotiations definitively broke down when Trump opted for the military route. Days later, a U.S. raid in Venezuela resulted in dozens of deaths and culminated in the capture of Maduro, who was transported to New York to face drug trafficking charges.
Key Questions About the Diplomatic Efforts to Oust Maduro
What role did the Vatican play in the diplomatic efforts to remove Maduro?
The Vatican, led by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, sought to mediate a peaceful exit for Maduro, urging the U.S. to provide a safe passage to avoid violence and regional instability.
Why did Nicolás Maduro reject the asylum offers?
Maduro reportedly underestimated the seriousness of U.S. signals and believed that the U.S. would not take decisive action, leading him to reject offers that included asylum and the retention of part of his wealth.
How did the Trump administration plan for a transition in Venezuela?
The Trump administration considered Delcy Rodríguez as a potential leader for a controlled transition, believing that a change from within the existing power structure could stabilize the state and prevent collapse.