Capture and Transition in Venezuela
On January 3, 2026, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were apprehended in Caracas during a U.S. operation. They were subsequently transported to New York, where they appeared in Manhattan federal court on Monday. Both face federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and conspiracy to import cocaine, and entered pleas of not guilty. Mr. Maduro asserted his innocence and maintained his claim to the presidency.
Following their capture, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as the country's interim president on January 3.
U.S. Statements on Venezuela's Future Role
U.S. President Donald Trump issued initial statements regarding the U.S. role in Venezuela's future. On January 3, he stated:
The U.S. would "run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition."
The following day, President Trump reiterated that the U.S. was "in charge" of Venezuela, also mentioning the potential for oil extraction and deployment of ground forces.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered further context regarding the U.S. approach. Speaking on January 4, he clarified that the U.S. would not directly govern Venezuela but aims to "run policy" and guide developments through economic leverage. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz affirmed on Monday that the U.S. was "not occupying a country," describing Maduro's capture as a "law enforcement operation" against an alleged "narco-trafficker."
U.S. Policy and Leverage in the Region
In recent months, the U.S. has intensified pressure on Venezuela through various actions:
- An ongoing oil blockade and sanctions, blocking oil tankers from entering or leaving Venezuela.
- Deployment of military ships and warplanes in the Caribbean region, contributing to a significant military presence.
- Military operations and boat strikes against suspected drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. Since September, 36 such strikes have reportedly resulted in at least 126 fatalities.
- Seizure of sanctioned tankers carrying Venezuelan oil.
Secretary Rubio outlined key U.S. policy objectives for Venezuela, which include:
- Opening Venezuela's energy sector to U.S. companies.
- Providing preferential access to oil production.
- Utilizing oil revenue to purchase American goods.
- Ceasing subsidized oil exports to Cuba.
President Trump has expressed a desire for U.S. oil companies to invest in upgrading Venezuela's oil industry. The administration maintains that no U.S. military forces are currently stationed in Venezuela, describing its actions as "aid to law enforcement" rather than an occupation or war.
Congressional and Political Reactions
President Trump's initial comments about the U.S. "running" Venezuela drew criticism from some political figures. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) cautioned against U.S. involvement in nation-building efforts.
Congressional Democrats have criticized the administration's actions as potentially exceeding executive authority, while most Republicans have supported them as a legitimate exercise of presidential power. A House resolution seeking to direct the removal of U.S. troops from Venezuela was narrowly defeated. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concerns about the costs of the U.S. naval blockade and raid, noting that some of Maduro's former associates reportedly remain in power.
Legal challenges have also commenced, with families of two Trinidadian nationals initiating a wrongful death case following a U.S. boat strike.
Diplomatic Engagements and Conditions
U.S. officials are engaged in efforts to establish communication channels and potentially normalize relations with interim President Delcy Rodríguez. Secretary Rubio is scheduled to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, where he is expected to reiterate that the U.S. is prepared to use additional force if Venezuela's interim leadership does not meet U.S. expectations.
Rodríguez stated on Tuesday that her government and the Trump administration have established:
"respectful and courteous channels of communication" and are working to set a "working agenda."
In a development reported as compliance with U.S. demands, Rodríguez's government has released 266 political prisoners since January 8. President Trump publicly acknowledged these releases, stating his appreciation for the "humanitarian gesture."
The U.S. State Department has notified Congress of its intent to send additional diplomatic and support personnel to Caracas to prepare for the potential reopening of the U.S. Embassy, which closed in 2019. Full normalization of ties would require the U.S. to revoke its recognition of the Venezuelan parliament elected in 2015 as the country's legitimate government.
Secretary Rubio is also scheduled to meet with Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado at the State Department. Machado, a 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, previously met with President Trump, presenting him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. Trump had previously remarked that Machado lacked the "respect" to govern the country. Rodríguez, meanwhile, has called for Maduro's immediate release and expressed a desire for "peace and dialogue, not war."