Caracas, January 14, 2026
• Behind the presidency: While Nicolás Maduro remains the formal head of state, Reuters reports that Venezuela’s governance is increasingly shaped by a shadow network of military elites, loyalist politicians, and economic power brokers.
• Military dominance: Senior officers’ control key ministries and state enterprises, ensuring the armed forces remain the backbone of Maduro’s rule. Their influence extends into oil revenues, food distribution, and border security.
• Economic gatekeepers: Business figures tied to the ruling party manage lucrative contracts and imports, reinforcing a patronage system that sustains loyalty.
• Fragmented opposition: Opposition leaders remain divided and weakened, limiting their ability to challenge the entrenched power structure. International sanctions have further constrained their reach.
• Global implications: Venezuela’s opaque governance complicates foreign negotiations, from oil exports to humanitarian aid. Analysts warn that the lack of transparency makes policy shifts unpredictable.
Note:
The question of “who’s really running Venezuela” underscores how formal titles mask the deeper reality of military and economic networks steering the state. Maduro’s presidency functions as a facade for a collective power arrangement.
(Source – Reuters)
—Owned Sources
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