Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured on January 3, 2026, during a U.S. operation in Venezuela. They were subsequently transported to New York to face federal charges related to drug trafficking. Following their capture, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as the interim president.
The U.S. administration has since issued varying statements regarding its role in Venezuela's governance, outlining policy objectives and conditions for the new leadership while engaging in both military and diplomatic initiatives in the region.
Capture and Legal Proceedings
On January 3, 2026, Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores were apprehended in Caracas by U.S. forces. They appeared in Manhattan federal court, facing federal charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and conspiracy to import cocaine.
Both Maduro and Flores entered pleas of not guilty.
Maduro asserted his innocence and stated that he remains president.
Concurrently, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela's interim president on Monday, January 5, 2026.
U.S. Administration's Stance on Governance
Presidential Declarations
Following the capture, U.S. President Donald Trump made several statements regarding Venezuela's future. On January 3, he declared that the U.S. would "run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." The following day, Trump reiterated that the U.S. was "in charge" of Venezuela, mentioning the potential for oil extraction and the deployment of ground forces.
President Trump also stated that Maduro's capture represented "an absolutely colossal victory for the security of the United States."
Clarification from State Department
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking on January 4, clarified the administration's position. He stated that the U.S. would not directly govern Venezuela but would instead "run policy" to guide the country in a specific direction. Rubio explained that the U.S. intends to use economic leverage, including an ongoing oil blockade and a regional military buildup, to achieve its policy objectives.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz affirmed that the U.S. was "not occupying a country," describing Maduro's capture as a "law enforcement operation" against an individual facing criminal charges.
Congressional Testimony Anticipated
Secretary Rubio is scheduled to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, where he is expected to outline the administration's readiness to consider additional military action if Venezuela's interim leadership does not meet U.S. expectations.
His prepared testimony states that the U.S. is "prepared to use force to ensure maximum cooperation if other methods fail," while asserting that "there is no war against Venezuela, and we did not occupy a country. There are no U.S. troops on the ground. This was an operation to aid law enforcement."
U.S. Military Presence and Actions
The U.S. has intensified its pressure on Venezuela in recent months, which has included the seizure of tankers associated with the country and the deployment of military ships and warplanes in the Caribbean region. While no U.S. military forces are reported to be stationed directly in Venezuela, a significant U.S. military contingent, including naval assets, remains in the vicinity.
President Trump has indicated readiness for further military action if deemed necessary, while also expressing an intention to avoid a full-scale U.S. military occupation. Since September, 36 U.S. boat strikes in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean have resulted in at least 126 fatalities.
The administration's approach contrasts with President Trump's previous opposition to foreign entanglements. It has invoked an updated interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, which historically positions the U.S. as a dominant influence in the Western Hemisphere.
Venezuelan Leadership and Response
Interim President's Stance
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, who was sworn in on January 5, publicly called for Maduro's immediate release. She expressed a desire for "balanced and respectful international relations" with the United States and other countries in the region, emphasizing "peace and dialogue, not war."
U.S. Demands and Venezuelan Concessions
U.S. officials have engaged in communication with Rodríguez's government, with Rodríguez confirming the establishment of "respectful and courteous channels of communication" aimed at setting a "working agenda."
The U.S. has outlined specific demands for Rodríguez, including opening Venezuela's energy sector to U.S. companies, providing preferential access to production, utilizing oil revenue for American goods, and ceasing subsidized oil exports to Cuba.
In a move interpreted as compliance with U.S. demands, Rodríguez's government has released 266 political prisoners since January 8, a gesture President Trump publicly acknowledged and appreciated.
Opposition Leader Reemerges
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a 2025 Nobel Peace Prize winner, had gone into hiding after the 2024 presidential election results but reemerged following Maduro's capture. She subsequently met with President Trump in Washington, where she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. Machado is also scheduled to meet with Secretary Rubio.
Congressional and International Reactions
U.S. Congressional Debate
U.S. President Trump's initial comments on the U.S. "running" Venezuela prompted 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 Trump administration's actions as potentially exceeding executive authority, while most Republicans have supported these actions 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 Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, commended the administration for its actions, framing them within the president's Article II constitutional authorities. Conversely, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) raised concerns about the effectiveness and cost of the operation, noting that many of Maduro's former associates reportedly remain in power.
Legal Challenges
Legal challenges have also begun, with the families of two Trinidadian nationals initiating a wrongful death case following a U.S. boat strike.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Responses
Secretary Rubio recently visited St. Kitts and Nevis to engage with leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), who have voiced concerns regarding Trump administration policies. These include demands for nations to accept third-country deportees, reject Cuban medical missions, and reduce engagement with China. Caribbean leaders highlighted regional challenges, including a shifting global order and humanitarian issues in Cuba.
Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar commended U.S. actions against narcotrafficking. However, Francisco Pichón, Cuba's U.N. resident coordinator, stated that the U.S. oil embargo is hindering humanitarian aid efforts in Cuba following Hurricane Melissa.
Diplomatic Engagements and Future Outlook
The State Department has informed 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 has been closed since 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.