The WION article, titled 'Top 5 allies of Nicholas Maduro that still hold power in Venezuela', is fundamentally outdated and misleading given the significant and recent developments in Venezuela. As of early January 2026, Nicolás Maduro, the former President of Venezuela, was captured by the United States in a military operation and subsequently removed from power to face drug trafficking charges in New York. This critical event renders the premise of the original article inaccurate, as Maduro himself no longer 'holds power' in Venezuela. His former Vice President, Delcy Rodríguez, has officially assumed the role of interim President, as ordered by Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice. Despite Maduro's ouster, several key figures who were once his closest allies continue to exert considerable influence and hold significant positions within the Venezuelan government. Delcy Rodríguez, now the interim President, previously served as Vice President and held ministerial roles, including Minister of Petroleum and head of the intelligence service (SEBIN). Diosdado Cabello, a powerful figure within the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and currently the Minister of Interior, Justice, and Peace, maintains control over national security forces and pro-government militias. Jorge Rodríguez, Delcy's brother, serves as the President of the National Assembly, a position he has held since 2021 and was re-elected to in 2025 for a term extending to 2031. General Vladimir Padrino López remains the Minister of Defense, a crucial role in maintaining military support for the current government. However, another prominent former ally, Tareck El Aissami, who served as Vice President and Minister of Petroleum, is no longer in power; he resigned in March 2023 amid a corruption probe and was subsequently arrested in April 2024 on charges of treason, money laundering, and criminal association. The continuation of these powerful figures in a new leadership structure under Delcy Rodríguez indicates a shift rather than a complete dismantling of the established power base, presenting a complex scenario for international relations, particularly with the U.S..