Diosdado Cabello questions 'original chavismo' claims: 'Where is your certificate?'

Diosdado Cabello, a prominent minister and influential figure within Venezuela's ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), has sharply criticized factions identifying as "original chavistas." His remarks suggest a deepening internal rift within the government, particularly following the appointment of Delcy Rodríguez as acting president.

Cabello directly challenged leaders who use the "original chavismo" label to distinguish themselves from the current leadership. "There are those who call themselves original chavismo. Original? From where? Originating in what? ... Where is your certificate? Who gave it to you? Who signed it?" he demanded during his television program, "Con el mazo dando."

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There are those who call themselves original chavismo. Original? From where? Originating in what? (...) Where is your certificate? Who gave it to you? Who signed it?

He defined "true original chavismo" as the people who "waited for Hugo Chávez for years" and embraced him immediately upon his appearance. Cabello described this authentic base as the "oppressed of all life: women, indigenous peoples, youth, the Armed Forces." This definition appears to exclude those currently in leadership positions who he implies do not embody these core principles.

Cabello's public critique aligns with recent criticisms from other former Chavista figures, including Mario Silva, Elías Jaua, and Iris Varela. These individuals have openly expressed disagreements with the current government's decisions and direction. Notably, Silva has drawn parallels between Delcy Rodríguez and Augusto Pinochet, asserting that Venezuela is under a "dictatorship installed by the US."

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The original chavismo is the people who were here for years waiting for Hugo Chávez and when Hugo Chávez appeared, that people immediately embraced him. That is true original chavismo, the oppressed of all life, women, indigenous peoples, youth, the Armed Forces, that is true chavismo.