Venezuelan Interim President Dismisses Military General Following US-led Operation Against Maduro

Thu Jan 08 2026 22:45:33 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Delcy Rodríguez, the newly appointed interim president of Venezuela, has terminated General Javier Marcano Tábata's position as commander of the presidential honor guard after the recent US seizure of Nicolás Maduro.

In a significant move, Delcy Rodríguez has replaced General Javier Marcano Tábata, who was in charge of the presidential honor guard. This decision follows the US operation that captured Nicolás Maduro, leading to speculation regarding the competence of the military forces. The change signifies a potential shift in Rodríguez's approach to governance amid external pressures and internal challenges.

Delcy Rodríguez, the newly inaugurated interim leader of Venezuela, has dismissed General Javier Marcano Tábata from his role commanding the presidential honor guard. This decision comes mere days after a dramatic US operation that resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.

The presidential honor guard plays a pivotal role in protecting the head of state, and with Maduro now facing trial in New York on narco-terrorism charges, Rodríguez's decision reflects the pressing need for a re-evaluation of security within her administration.

In the aftermath of the US raid, which reportedly resulted in multiple casualties among the Venezuelan security forces, including members of the presidential guard, the dismissal is being interpreted as a response to the failure of existing security measures.

Rodríguez's authority was affirmed when she was sworn in by the National Assembly, dominated by pro-government supporters. As Maduro's former vice-president and a long-time ally, her leadership approach appears to be a mix of defiance and the need for tactical cooperation with the US, as indicated by recent comments from President Trump.

In her first actions, the dismissal of General Marcano Tábata signals a significant shift within Venezuela’s military hierarchy, and analysts suggest it may be linked more to the fallout from Maduro's seizure rather than direct accountability for past human rights abuses conducted by the military under Marcano’s command.

The sacking has raised eyebrows, given that Rodríguez’s appointed successor also comes with a controversial background, as he managed the national intelligence service, which has faced serious accusations of human rights violations.

As the international community closely watches these developments, the implications of this leadership change on Venezuela's internal stability and its relations with the US are yet to be fully understood. With Trump's warning of potential further strikes against key figures in the Venezuelan government, Rodríguez’s next moves will be pivotal in shaping the future of the nation.