Venezuela: Dismissal of General Javier Marcano Tábata After Nicolás Maduro's Capture

Caracas, January 10, 2026 — General Javier Marcano Tábata, commander of the Venezuelan presidential honor guard and head of military counter-intelligence, was dismissed from his duties a few days after the American military operation that led to the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas and his transfer to New York, where he is to be tried on narco-terrorism charges. The decision to replace General Marcano Tábata was made by interim President Delcy Rodríguez, recently sworn in by the National Assembly. A former Vice President under Nicolás Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez is considered one of his closest collaborators. An American Aggression with Heavy Human Losses According to Venezuelan authorities, at least 100 people, including 23 national military personnel and five generals, were killed during the American strikes. Cuba, a historical ally of Caracas, announced the deaths of 32 of its nationals, several of whom were reportedly integrated into the presidential honor guard responsible for the protection of the head of state. Dozens of members of this elite unit are believed to be among the victims of the operation, although the Venezuelan government has not yet published a detailed report. A Major Security Failure For many Venezuelan analysts, Javier Marcano Tábata's dismissal is directly linked to the presidential guard's inability to prevent Nicolás Maduro's capture. Supporters of the government have publicly expressed their feeling of 'humiliation' at the ease with which American forces neutralized defense systems and overpowered the president's close protection, who was then presented handcuffed before cameras. Accusations of Treason Circulated on Social Media Alongside the official announcement of his removal, messages widely circulated on social media suggest a possible betrayal by General Marcano Tábata. According to these unconfirmed sources, he allegedly collaborated with American intelligence services, transmitted sensitive strategic information, and facilitated the neutralization of Venezuelan air defense at the critical moment of the operation. At this stage, no Venezuelan authority has officially confirmed the opening of a judicial investigation for treason or validated these accusations. A Successor with a Controversial Past General Gustavo González López has been appointed to succeed Marcano Tábata. A former head of the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service (SEBIN), he led an institution for several years that was regularly accused of serious human rights violations. The United Nations has notably documented acts of torture, sexual violence, and arbitrary detentions in El Helicoide prison and several clandestine centers. The replacement of Marcano Tábata therefore does not appear to mark a break with past repressive practices, according to several international observers. American Pressures and Political Uncertainties Since Nicolás Maduro's arrest, US President Donald Trump has escalated offensive statements, asserting that the United States would 'lead' Venezuela and threatening Delcy Rodríguez with severe reprisals in case of non-cooperation, particularly on oil matters. Washington claims that Caracas is preparing to deliver up to 50 million barrels of oil, information that has not been confirmed by the interim government. While Donald Trump raises the possibility of a second wave of strikes, the interim president attempts to balance a discourse denouncing Maduro's 'illegal abduction' with calls for cooperation with Washington. In this climate of high tensions, General Marcano Tábata's dismissal appears as one of the first major acts of power reorganization, revealing internal fractures and the fragility of the new political balance in Venezuela. Jean Wesley Pierre/ Le Relief