United States — Central Intelligence Agency & Vladimir Padrino López

United States — Central Intelligence Agency: The United States — Central Intelligence Agency provided a classified assessment that influenced the United States' decision to work with Maduro's top aides on an interim basis to maintain stability in Venezuela.

Vladimir Padrino López: Vladimir Padrino López is Venezuela's Defense Minister and is also under a U.S. drug trafficking indictment. The U.S. sees his collaboration as crucial for avoiding a power vacuum and believes he is more amenable to U.S. demands than Diosdado Cabello.

United States — Central Intelligence Agency: The United States — Central Intelligence Agency was authorized to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela and was responsible for the first known direct drone strike on Venezuelan soil.

Vladimir Padrino López: Vladimir Padrino López, Venezuela's Defense Minister, asserted the strength of Venezuela's military during a mobilization prompted by the U.S. military buildup.

United States — Central Intelligence Agency: The United States — Central Intelligence Agency was behind a drone strike last week at a docking area in Venezuela believed to be used by drug cartels, preceding the large-scale strike.

Vladimir Padrino López: Vladimir Padrino López, Venezuela's Defence Minister, stated that Venezuela would resist foreign troops and alleged that a US attack struck civilian areas, causing casualties.

United States — Central Intelligence Agency: The United States — Central Intelligence Agency was behind a drone strike at a docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels, marking a direct operation on Venezuelan soil.

Vladimir Padrino López: Vladimir Padrino López, Venezuela's defense minister, publicly rejected the 'cowardly kidnapping' of Nicolás Maduro and vowed to maintain internal order and peace.