Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026, and subsequently transported to New York to face federal charges related to drug trafficking. Following their capture, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy RodrÃguez was sworn in as interim president. Statements from U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, offered varied descriptions of the U.S. role in Venezuela's future, ranging from direct administration to policy influence.
Capture and Legal Proceedings
On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Cilia Flores in Caracas. The couple was then transported to New York, appearing in Manhattan federal court on January 6, 2026. They faced federal charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and conspiracy to import cocaine, to which both pleaded not guilty. During the court appearance, President Maduro stated he was "innocent" and "still president."
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz described the capture as a "law enforcement operation" against an individual accused of being a "narco-trafficker" who would face trial in the U.S. for alleged crimes spanning over 15 years.
Venezuelan Leadership Transition
Following President Maduro's capture, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy RodrÃguez was sworn in as the interim president on January 6, 2026. On January 5, RodrÃguez issued a social media post calling for President Maduro's immediate release. She also expressed a desire for "balanced and respectful international relations" between Venezuela and the United States, as well as other regional countries, emphasizing "peace and dialogue, not war." RodrÃguez stated this message aligned with President Maduro's previous stance and represented current sentiment in Venezuela.
U.S. Statements on Venezuela's Future Governance
Statements from U.S. officials regarding the nation's role in Venezuela's post-capture period presented divergent perspectives:
- President Donald Trump's Statements: On January 3, President Trump stated at Mar-a-Lago that the U.S. would "run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition." He reiterated on January 5, stating the U.S. was "in charge" of Venezuela. President Trump also mentioned the potential for extracting oil and deploying ground forces, while simultaneously expressing an intention to avoid a full-scale U.S. military occupation.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio's Clarifications: On January 4 and 5, Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided further context, stating the U.S. would not directly govern Venezuela but aimed to "run policy" and "run the direction" of future developments through economic leverage. Rubio specified that the U.S. objective was to implement policy changes related to issues such as drug trafficking and migration.
- U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz's Position: On January 6, Ambassador Mike Waltz affirmed that the U.S. was "not occupying a country."
U.S. Leverage and Conditions
The U.S. has maintained a posture of influence toward Venezuela through various means:
- Economic Measures: Ongoing U.S. sanctions continue to block oil tankers from entering or leaving Venezuela, providing a form of economic leverage. President Trump also expressed a desire for U.S. oil companies to invest in upgrading Venezuela's oil industry.
- Military Presence: A significant U.S. military contingent, including naval assets, remains deployed in the Caribbean region. The U.S. had intensified its military presence in the area in recent months. No U.S. military forces are currently stationed within Venezuela, and the U.S. Embassy in Venezuela ceased operations in 2019.
- Warnings to Leadership: President Trump issued warnings to interim President Delcy RodrÃguez, stating that if she "doesn't do what's right," she would "pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro." He also warned of a "second strike" if the Venezuelan government did not "behave."
- Internal Dynamics: Figures within Venezuela's military and security forces, associated with President Maduro, reportedly continue to hold their positions, which is noted as a factor in the adoption of U.S.-desired policies.
Political Reactions and Context
President Trump's initial comments regarding the U.S. "running" Venezuela drew criticism from political figures, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who cautioned against U.S. involvement in nation-building efforts.
President Trump's approach has been noted to contrast with his long-held opposition to foreign entanglements. He has invoked an updated interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine, which historically positions the U.S. as a dominant influence in the Western Hemisphere.