U.S. Captures Maduro, Installs Rodríguez as Interim President Amid Global Tension
Updated (6 articles)
U.S. Forces Seize Maduro and First Lady in Caracas The United States launched a pre‑dawn raid on Maduro’s Caracas residence, detaining President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores and airlifting them to New York to face narcoterrorism, drug‑trafficking and weapons charges [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Dozens of people were killed during the operation, including dozens of Cuban security personnel, heightening regional alarm [2]. The capture removed the head of state but left his administration largely intact, as senior officials remained in Caracas [1].
Constitutional Court Appoints Delcy Rodríguez Interim President Venezuela’s Constitutional Chamber invoked temporary‑absence provisions to name Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez acting president, granting her full presidential powers for up to 90 days, extendable with National Assembly approval [1][3][4][5][6]. The ruling classified Maduro’s detention as a “temporary” impediment rather than a permanent vacancy, avoiding the constitutional trigger for a 30‑day election [1]. Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro loyalist, immediately asserted control over the oil‑driven economy and demanded the release of the detained leaders [4].
Opposition Leadership Fragmented, Machado Remains Symbolic Figurehead Most opposition figures, including Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, are abroad or imprisoned, limiting their domestic influence [1]. The opposition’s internal tally still credits Edmundo González Urrutia as the 2024 election winner, though many Venezuelans continue to view Machado as the movement’s face [1]. Machado’s public support for U.S. actions has eroded some popular backing, while exile networks push for international recognition of a transition [1][4].
U.S. Policy Split and International Condemnation Follow Capture President Donald Trump announced that the United States would “run” Venezuela, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio later softened the rhetoric, saying Washington would leverage Venezuela’s oil reserves to extract policy concessions [1]. Senator Lindsey Graham warned that U.S. strategy aims toward a future free election, though no timetable was set [1]. The raid provoked sharp rebukes from the United Nations, the European Union, China, Russia and others, who warned of a dangerous precedent and called for restraint and a peaceful, law‑based transition [3][5]. Legal scholars highlighted the operation’s breach of international extradition norms, questioning its legality under the UN Charter [3].
Sources (6 articles)
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[1]
AP: U.S. seizes Nicolás Maduro; vice president Delcy Rodríguez installed as leader while opposition remains exiled or jailed: AP details the capture, Rodríguez’s appointment, opposition exile, and internal U.S. debate over oil leverage and election timing.
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[2]
BBC: Venezuelans confront uncertainty after US seizure of Nicolás Maduro: BBC emphasizes casualty figures, heightened street security, public fear, and the mixed reactions of Venezuelans to the power shift.
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[3]
The Hindu: Maduro captured by U.S. forces; Rodríguez named interim president as Venezuela crisis triggers global reaction and oil questions: Hindu adds diplomatic responses, oil‑market implications, and legal analysis of the sovereignty breach.
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[4]
AP: U.S. capture of Maduro sparks leadership crisis as Rodríguez named interim president: AP focuses on the leadership vacuum, Trump’s “run Venezuela” claim, and uncertainty about military loyalty.
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[5]
The Hindu: Maduro detained; Delcy Rodríguez named acting president as world reacts to U.S. strikes on Venezuela: Hindu repeats international calls for a peaceful transition and UN/major‑power warnings about setting a dangerous precedent.
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[6]
Newsweek: Delcy Rodríguez named acting president after Maduro detention: Newsweek highlights constitutional justification, describes the detention as “force majeure,” and notes Trump’s dismissal of Machado as a replacement.
Timeline
Dec 2024 – Opposition groups announce that they have won the presidential election, with Edmundo González Urrutia listed as the official victor and María Corina Machado celebrated as the movement’s figurehead; the United States and several allies recognize González while Machado later receives the Nobel Peace Prize for her democratic advocacy[3].
Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. special‑operations forces launch a pre‑dawn raid on Maduro’s Caracas compound, seize President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, and air‑lift them to New York to face narco‑terrorism charges; minutes later, Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, broadcasts an audio message urging “you will see us in the streets” as a call to resistance[5][5].
Jan 3, 2026 – Venezuela’s Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court invokes Articles 234 and 239, declares Maduro’s detention a “force majeure” situation, and orders Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency to guarantee administrative continuity[2][2].
Jan 4, 2026 – President Donald Trump dismisses María Corina Machado as lacking domestic support and declares, “We will run Venezuela,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio later tones down the rhetoric, saying Washington will use control of Venezuela’s oil as leverage in negotiations[2][3].
Jan 4, 2026 – The European Union, United Nations, China, Russia and dozens of other states issue statements condemning the U.S. raid as a breach of sovereignty and urging a peaceful, law‑based transition for the Venezuelan people[5][6].
Jan 4, 2026 – U.S. lawmakers voice divergent strategies: Sen. Lindsey Graham predicts the U.S. will help build infrastructure and eventually hold free elections, whereas Sen. Marco Rubio stresses that oil assets will serve as “leverage” to compel policy changes in Caracas[3].
Jan 7, 2026 – U.S. officials report dozens of casualties in the raid, including 32 Cuban security personnel; journalists are detained, police patrol the streets, and ordinary Venezuelans confront soaring food prices and the threat of further U.S. strikes, while Trump reiterates that the United States will “run” the country[1][1].
Jan 7, 2026 – Acting President Delcy Rodríguez pledges “unity among the ruling party’s factions,” demands the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, and outlines a provisional rule that can last up to 90 days, extendable to six months without triggering a constitutional election[3][3].
Jan 7, 2026 – Energy analysts warn that Venezuela’s oil exports could pivot toward U.S. refiners, reshaping OPEC+ output calculations, while the Supreme Court’s decision sidesteps the constitution’s 30‑day election trigger, raising concerns that Rodríguez could entrench her authority beyond the interim period[3].