In a significant development reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Latin America, the head of the United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), General Francisco Donovan, has arrived in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, for the first official visit of its kind since the overthrow of former President Nicolás Maduro last month.
This visit, which carries a high-level security and military character, represents a critical turning point in relations between Washington and Caracas after decades of tension, and underscores the growing US role in shaping the transition period in Venezuela.
High-Level Security Talks
Venezuelan government sources revealed that General Donovan held a series of closed-door meetings with key figures of the interim government, meeting with Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. An official statement confirmed that the talks focused on establishing a "bilateral cooperation work program" to combat shared challenges.
The statement, published by the Venezuelan government on the "X" platform, indicated that the cooperation priorities include:
Combating drug trafficking.
Terrorism.
Irregular migration.
For its part, the US Embassy in Caracas described the meetings as "productive," stating they focused on "the security environment and the steps necessary to ensure the implementation of President Donald Trump's three-phase plan," which prioritizes the stability of Venezuela and shared security throughout the Western Hemisphere.
Background of the Visit: A Military Operation and Regime Change
This historic visit comes just weeks after a surprise US military operation in Caracas that resulted in the ouster of former President Nicolás Maduro, who was transferred to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking, according to Washington's announcement. It is worth noting that President Trump had appointed General Donovan to lead SOUTHCOM last December, just days before the operation that shifted the balance in the region.
SOUTHCOM was not unfamiliar with the Venezuelan scene prior to these events, having previously launched dozens of strikes on boats in the Caribbean that Washington claimed were used for drug trafficking. Those operations sparked widespread controversy, especially after reports emerged of over 130 people being killed, whom their families claimed were fishermen.
Multi-Layered Messages
The visit carries significant political and military messages:
Legitimizing the Interim Government: The arrival of the highest-ranking US military commander in the region in Caracas serves as clear recognition and strong support for Interim President Delcy Rodríguez and her government.
Restructuring the Military Institution: The meeting between the Defense Minister and the SOUTHCOM commander signals the beginning of a new phase of joint training and coordination, and possibly the restructuring of the Venezuelan armed forces in line with US standards.
Securing the Political Transition: General Donovan's presence underscores Washington's commitment to Venezuela's stability during the transitional period and to preventing any security vacuum that could be exploited by armed opposition groups or organized crime syndicates.
A Visit Within a Broader Context: Comprehensive Diplomacy
US moves are not limited to the military aspect only; just days before Donovan's arrival, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited Caracas last week. This dual-track approach (military and energy) reflects a comprehensive strategy by the Trump administration, using a mix of military pressure and soft power tools to push Venezuela toward implementing broad economic and security reforms.
General Donovan was accompanied on his visit by Joseph Homer, a senior official from the Pentagon, marking the first US military delegation to arrive in Caracas in years, underscoring the depth of the transformation in bilateral relations.
Source: News Agencies