U.S. Captures Venezuelan President Maduro; Delcy Rodríguez Assumes Interim Leadership

In a significant escalation of international tensions, the United States military conducted a series of airstrikes in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The operation, codenamed "Absolute Resolve," targeted multiple locations, including the capital, Caracas.

Following Maduro's capture, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president, as mandated by Article 233 of the Venezuelan Constitution. Rodríguez, a seasoned politician with deep ties to Venezuela's socialist movement, has held various key positions, including Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Petroleum.

In her initial address, Rodríguez expressed a willingness to collaborate with the United States, stating, "We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of co-operation orientated towards shared development within the framework of international law."

However, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Rodríguez, stating that if she "doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro."

The military operation resulted in significant casualties. The Cuban government reported that 32 of its military and police officers, who were in Venezuela at the request of Maduro's government, were killed during the U.S. strikes.

The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is not at war with Venezuela, stating, "We are at war against drug trafficking organisations. That's not a war against Venezuela."

The international community has expressed concern over the U.S. military intervention. A joint statement from the governments of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain described the actions as "an extremely dangerous precedent for peace and regional security and endanger the civilian population."

As the situation unfolds, Rodríguez's leadership faces both internal and external challenges, with the future of Venezuela's political landscape remaining uncertain.