Venezuela’s ruling party, long unified under the slogan “United, we will win!”, is showing signs of internal division after acting President Delcy Rodríguez abandoned several Chávez-era policies and complied with U.S. demands. The cracks emerged following the U.S. military operation that captured former President Nicolás Maduro in January.
Rodríguez has overhauled the oil industry, released political prisoners, and authorised a U.S. military training exercise in Caracas, sparking criticism from long-time loyalists. Former state TV host Mario Silva questioned the legality of deporting a Maduro ally to the U.S., claiming decisions “are being made in the U.S. Embassy.”
In May, a small protest in Caracas opposed the U.S. drill, with participants holding a flag reading “No to the Yankee drill.” Former Vice President Elías Jaua condemned the exercise as “humiliating” and warned against normalising what he called a “colonial administration.”
Analysts say the fractures are less about ideology and more about the loss of patronage that once rewarded loyalty. The social and economic crisis under Maduro drove millions to emigrate, but the party now faces internal dissent as Rodríguez shifts away from hardline Chavismo.
