Venezuelan leader Diosdado Cabello showcases military support and warns against police extortion

On June 19, 2026, Venezuela's Vice President and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello aired a segment of his TV program Con el Mazo Dando, presenting 74 senior officers of the Bolivarian National Armed Forces. The officials, ranging from generals to vice‑ admirals, stood at attention and saluted Cabello, a display intended to project unity and command over the military establishment.

Two days earlier, Cabello used the same program to condemn police officers who use their positions for extortion at roadblocks and checkpoints. He warned that any security official involved in illegal practices would face the full weight of the law and cited official data that about 22,000 officers had been dismissed for misconduct. The remarks follow earlier statements calling for an end to “matraqueo” – the illegal collection of fees from drivers.