The United States carried out a months-long planned operation resulting in the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The operation also included planning for succession and a political transition following the removal of the Chavista leader. Former Chevron executive in Venezuela, Ali Moshiri, played a key role in Washington’s decision to support Delcy Rodríguez over opposition leader María Corina Machado, who had been recognized as the winner of the 2024 elections.
On January 3rd, the U.S. Military deployed a mission in Caracas involving over 150 airplanes and helicopters, and a team from the Delta Force, the elite unit trained for special operations. Within minutes, they entered Caracas and apprehended Maduro. Washington opted to depart Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s second-in-command, in power, considered the safest option according to intelligence reports gathered by the CIA, which had infiltrated a command team into the country months prior.
CIA officials had two primary missions. The first was to locate an asset who could provide information on Maduro’s movements, lifestyle, and inner circle. They successfully recruited a key informant who provided crucial details, revealing that Maduro was at his residence within the Fuerte Tiuna military installation, south of Caracas, on the night of the operation.
The second mission involved gathering information to analyze the potential political transition following Maduro’s removal. The White House sought to determine whether to support the opposition, which had won the 2024 elections—though the victory was not recognized by Maduro—or to negotiate with the Chavista regime under the threat of a larger-scale military intervention.
Here’s where Ali Moshiri became a decisive figure. Chevron was the only U.S. Company still operating in Venezuela after sanctions and an embargo imposed by the White House.
Moshiri told the CIA that attempting to overthrow the entire Maduro regime and install the democratic opposition led by María Corina Machado would lead to another situation like Iraq, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The Chevron executive argued that Machado lacked support from the country’s security services and could not control the economic power circles influenced by over two decades of Chavismo.
Moshiri advised the CIA that the U.S. Should support Delcy Rodríguez, arguing that despite her loyalty to Maduro and her brother’s control of parliament, there were options for negotiating a transition. The CIA’s report reached President Trump’s desk. In the weeks leading up to the military operation that resulted in Maduro’s imprisonment in Manhattan, New York, Trump held several meetings with his staff to finalize the operation even as simultaneously negotiating with Maduro.
Moshiri, who left Chevron in 2017 but continued to provide support as a consultant, revealed how Washington gathered information from the oil industry. This also marks a significant shift for Chevron’s prospects in Venezuela, as the company’s decades-long investment during instability now provides a strategic advantage as oil production resumes.
Chevron, which has operated in Venezuela for decades and remained despite conditions under Chávez and Maduro, is now in a privileged position as crude oil trade with the United States resumes. The oil company has denied involvement with the CIA and emphasizes that it did not provide information for the military mission that captured Maduro.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Ali Moshiri play in the operation?
Ali Moshiri, a former Chevron executive in Venezuela, advised the CIA that supporting Delcy Rodríguez would be a more stable option than attempting to install the opposition led by María Corina Machado.
What was the CIA’s primary objective in Venezuela?
The CIA had two missions: to locate and gather information on Nicolás Maduro, and to assess how a political transition could occur following his removal from power.
Why was Delcy Rodríguez chosen to lead Venezuela after Maduro’s capture?
The CIA recommended Delcy Rodríguez because they believed she offered the most stable path forward, potentially allowing for negotiations and avoiding a violent power struggle.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Delcy Rodríguez will navigate the complexities of governing Venezuela under the oversight of the United States, and what the long-term implications will be for the country’s political and economic future.
