Sources, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed the information published in The Wall Street Journal regarding the contents of the secret report.
According to them, Trump and a small group of key members of his national security team were informed of the document's findings.
These CIA conclusions, according to the sources, influenced Trump's decision to support Vice President Delcy Rodríguez over opposition leader María Corina Machado.
At the same time, official representatives of the White House declined to comment on the details of the report.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt stated that the president regularly receives analytical materials on the political situation in various countries, and his team makes decisions that should serve the interests of the U.S. and improve the lives of the Venezuelan people.
The Wall Street Journal also noted that this report was presented to Trump and his team weeks before a potential U.S. military operation in Venezuela. The document did not specify how Maduro might be overthrown, but it analyzed the current situation in the country.
Analysts concluded that opposition leaders such as Edmundo González, who many consider a potential winner of the 2024 elections, and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, would not be able to ensure legitimacy and control over the security forces.
As a result, the intelligence findings influenced Trump's choice in favor of Delcy Rodríguez, as the report claimed that she and two other high-profile officials are capable of "maintaining order" in the country. Other potential candidates were not named, but according to the newspaper, they may include Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López.
Nicolás Maduro and his wife were arrested by U.S. authorities on January 3. They will appear in court in New York on January 5 on charges of "narcoterrorism." Maduro, for his part, stated that he continues to remain the president of Venezuela.
Photo on the main page: Reuters.
