Russia Says It Knows Names of “Traitors” Behind Maduro’s Capture — Blames Venezuelan Security Forces

Published January 26, 2025

Caracas / Moscow — Russian officials have publicly accused elements within Venezuela’s government and security apparatus of betraying longtime Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, saying Moscow knows the identities of those who collaborated with U.S. intelligence and allowed the U.S. military to capture him.

In televised remarks and interviews, Russian Ambassador to Venezuela Sergei Melik‑Bagdasarov directly tied Maduro’s seizure in early January to alleged disloyalty among Maduro’s own security forces — rather than to overwhelming external force alone. He charged that local law enforcement and officials “did not do what they could have done” to defend the embattled president and systematically worked for U.S. intelligence services.

“We know the names of those traitors who fled Venezuela and systematically worked for U.S. intelligence,” Melik‑Bagdasarov said on the Rossiya‑24 channel, accusing them of failing their duty even before the U.S. military operation began.

Context: U.S. Capture of Maduro and Regional Fallout

The charged comments come in the aftermath of a high‑profile U.S. military operation on January 3, 2026, in which forces entered Venezuela and captured President Maduro and his wife, transporting them to the United States to face federal charges, including allegations of narco‑terrorism. The raid, ordered by U.S. authorities and announced publicly by President Donald Trump, sparked strong international reactions and a tense scramble for leadership in Caracas.

Following Maduro’s capture, his vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, was swiftly sworn in as acting president and has since engaged with U.S. officials, sparking controversy and speculation about internal arrangements and future power dynamics. Reports from The Guardian indicate that Rodríguez and her brother engaged in talks with the United States via intermediaries in late 2025, offering cooperation if Maduro’s removal occurred — although there is no evidence Rodriguez actively helped orchestrate his capture.

Russia’s Allegations of Betrayal and Broader Implications

Russia’s accusations reflect growing frustration in Moscow over its inability to prevent the sudden collapse of what had been a strategic alliance with Caracas — one rooted in decades of military cooperation, oil deals, and political alignment.

Moscow has loudly condemned the U.S. operation as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty, yet it has stopped short of military retaliation or direct action to free Maduro. Analysts say this points to broader limitations in Russia’s global reach while underscoring a perceived weakness in defending partners against U.S. power.

Melik‑Bagdasarov also cast doubt on the legitimacy of the charges against Maduro, insisting that Venezuelan supporters believe in his innocence and hope for a political or judicial decision that could restore him to power.

Who Are the “Traitors”?

Despite the bold rhetoric, Moscow has not publicly disclosed any names of the alleged traitors — and it remains unclear whether senior figures in Maduro’s circle are the intended targets of this accusation or if the ambassador was using it as political messaging to justify the regime’s collapse.

International journalists and sources have speculated about possible internal divisions among Venezuela’s leadership prior to the U.S. raid, with some senior officials, including Rodríguez, appearing prepared to work with Washington in the post‑Maduro transition — a stance that may have contributed to questions about loyalty within the regime.

Regional and Global Reactions

The U.S. move and Russia’s response have shone a global spotlight on Venezuela’s deepening crisis — with regional governments and international institutions weighing in on questions of legality, sovereignty, and geopolitical competition. Many governments have condemned the U.S. action as a breach of sovereignty, while others support efforts to remove Maduro from power and stabilize Venezuela.

As diplomatic tensions continue, Russia’s claims of betrayal underscore how the sudden upheaval has exposed fractures within Venezuelan power structures — and set the stage for a prolonged political and intelligence conflict over the fate of one of Latin America’s most controversial leaders.

WATCH — Trump: “We’re in Charge” in Venezuela:

Implications of Russia’s Allegations on Venezuela and Global Politics

1. Venezuelan Political Stability

• The accusation that Maduro’s own security forces betrayed him highlights deep internal fractures within the Venezuelan government.

• Even if Maduro were to return, the trust deficit among military and political allies could undermine his ability to govern effectively.

• Acting President Delcy Rodríguez and other officials may now be seen as either opportunistic collaborators or stabilizers, depending on alignment with external powers like the U.S. or Russia.

2. Russia’s Credibility and Influence

• Moscow’s public identification (or claim to know) “traitors” is a signal to allies and adversaries that Russia monitors internal loyalties in allied nations.

• However, Russia’s inability to prevent Maduro’s capture or retaliate militarily may weaken its perceived influence in Latin America.

• This incident could make other U.S.-aligned or neutral Latin American governments less confident in Russia’s ability to protect its partners, potentially shrinking Russia’s sphere of influence.

3. U.S.-Russia Geopolitical Rivalry

• The U.S. capture of Maduro marks a direct challenge to Russian interests in the region, demonstrating U.S. operational reach and intelligence capability.

• Russia’s accusations may be designed to shift blame internally and portray the U.S. action as enabled by “traitors,” keeping Moscow’s image intact externally.

• This sets the stage for continued proxy battles over influence in Latin America, including oil contracts, military cooperation, and intelligence operations.

4. Security and Military Implications in Venezuela

• The public exposure of alleged disloyalty could lead to purges within the Venezuelan military and intelligence services.

• Fear of Russian scrutiny may prompt some officers to double down on loyalty or defect further, increasing volatility.

• The situation raises questions about internal security protocols in nations with centralized, authoritarian regimes—highlighting how vulnerable leaders are to internal betrayal.

5. Regional and Global Economic Implications

• Political instability in Venezuela affects oil markets, as the country is a major crude exporter. Any disruption can increase volatility in global energy prices.

• Investors and international businesses may hesitate to engage with Venezuela, fearing sudden leadership changes, purges, or retaliatory policies.

• Russia’s claim of internal betrayal could discourage Latin American countries from aligning too closely with Moscow, potentially shifting trade and energy alliances toward the U.S. or China.

6. Legal and Humanitarian Considerations

• If Russia publicly names alleged traitors, it could trigger extradition requests, sanctions, or political trials.

• U.S. involvement in Maduro’s capture has already raised questions of international law and sovereignty, and Russian accusations may intensify diplomatic friction and global debate over legality.

• Humanitarian aid and migration could be affected as political chaos may exacerbate economic hardships in Venezuela.

 Overall Takeaway:

The capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces has exposed deep fissures within Venezuela’s leadership, with Russia publicly alleging that betrayal from within Maduro’s own security forces played a decisive role. These accusations highlight not only the fragility of loyalty in authoritarian regimes but also the complex interplay of geopolitical rivalry, intelligence operations, and internal power struggles.

For Russia, the episode is both a diplomatic embarrassment and a warning signal: even long-standing allies can fall when internal loyalty falters. For Venezuela, the incident underscores a profound political and military vulnerability, which may lead to purges, realignment of loyalties, and heightened instability in the region.

Globally, the events reinforce the reach and assertiveness of the United States, challenge Russia’s influence in Latin America, and raise questions about sovereignty, legal norms, and regional security. The fallout from Maduro’s capture—and Russia’s response—will likely shape Venezuela’s political landscape and the balance of power in Latin America for years to come.

SOURCES: BREITBART – Russia Claims to Know the ‘Names of Traitors’ Who Gave Up Venezuela’s Maduro

THE LATIN TIMES – Russia Says It ‘Knows The Names Of Those Who ‘Betrayed’ Maduro And Allowed His Capture By U.S. Forces

EURASIA DAILY – Russian Ambassador to Venezuela spoke out about the betrayal of Maduro by his security forces