Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello threatened the public in videos posted Monday night on TikTok, telling Venezuelans that “to doubt is to betray” as uncertainty continues following the U.S. operation that resulted in the capture of deposed leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Cabello’s remarks came days after the January 3 U.S. law enforcement action in Caracas, which dramatically altered Venezuela’s political landscape. In two videos shared on his official TikTok account, Cabello appeared alongside law enforcement officers in public areas of the capital, repeating the phrase “to doubt is to betray” while chanting, “Always loyal, never traitors,” a slogan adopted by the socialist government.
According to Con el Mazo Dando (“Hitting with the Mallet”), a government propaganda show hosted by Cabello, the videos were recorded in the Caricuao parish in southwest Caracas and at O’Leary Square in downtown Caracas. The outlet said Cabello was touring the city to supervise the deployment of security forces and to confirm what it described as a peaceful atmosphere.
Cabello, a former military officer, has long been regarded as one of the most powerful figures within Venezuela’s socialist regime. Over the years, he has held senior positions in both the executive and legislative branches under former president Hugo Chávez and later under Maduro. He participated in Chávez’s failed military coup attempt in February 1992 and briefly served as acting president during the short-lived 2002 coup against Chávez. He currently holds the title of sectoral vice president for policy, citizen security, and peace.
In addition to his government roles, Cabello is known as the longtime host of Con el Mazo Dando, a weekly state propaganda program broadcast across Venezuelan government media. His YouTube channel for the show was suspended in 2024, and at the time of publication, no new episodes had aired in 2026.
Cabello was among the first senior regime figures to appear publicly following Maduro’s capture, saying early Saturday morning that he was patrolling the streets of Caracas to “guarantee peace and tranquility.” In those remarks, he urged Venezuelans not to fall into despair and accused foreign actors of aggression, calling on the international community to condemn what he described as an attack on the country.
“Let no one fall into despair, and let no one make things easier for the invader,” Cabello said, alleging that civilian areas had been targeted and questioning whether international organizations would remain silent.
Cabello is currently wanted by U.S. authorities on multiple narco-terrorism charges, and a $25 million reward has been offered for information leading to his arrest or conviction.
Inside Venezuela, the atmosphere has remained tense but outwardly calm. While Venezuelans abroad have openly celebrated Maduro’s downfall, residents inside the country have largely avoided public demonstrations. Local residents who spoke to Breitbart News on condition of anonymity said they were continuing their daily routines as if nothing had changed, citing fear of retaliation from the government
Following Maduro’s capture, the Venezuelan regime announced a nationwide state of emergency on January 3, citing the need to guarantee internal order, national defense, and civilian protection in response to what it called an extraordinary external threat. The decree was dated January 3 and reportedly signed by Maduro. At the time of publication, the government had not explained how the document was signed given that Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in the early hours of that day.
Signs of heightened enforcement emerged Monday night when the official Instagram account of the Mérida state police announced the arrest of two unidentified men, aged 64 and 65, in the municipality of Guaraque. Authorities said the men were detained after allegedly celebrating what police described as the “kidnapping” of Maduro and Flores and shouting slogans against the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela.
In its announcement, the Mérida police echoed the same slogan repeated by Cabello earlier in the evening, concluding with the phrases “Serve with Honor” and “To doubt is to betray.”
As Venezuela navigates the aftermath of Maduro’s removal, Cabello’s public messaging and visible security presence underscore the regime’s effort to project control while discouraging dissent amid ongoing uncertainty.
READ NEXT: Venezuela Starts Handing Out Rifles To Civilians
Yep – you minions WILL be ‘peaceful and tranquil’ – or else we will kill you or simply disappear ya.
They are handing out rifles to their ‘militia’ – what about ammo? Dare to show up armed in public without authorization and see what happens to ya. Fear of the great boogeyman to the north staging a full scale invasion is a VERY convenient excuse for the ‘authorities’ to clamp down even further on the general population, as if they had any personal freedoms to begin with.
I hope I’m wrong but their track record isn’t very reassuring.