Trump Declares U.S. Control of Venezuela After Maduro’s Capture, Rodríguez Named Interim Leader
Updated (2 articles)
U.S. special forces execute pre‑dawn Caracas raid American troops stormed the Maduro residence, detaining President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores before ferrying them to the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima and onward to New York, ending months of diplomatic pressure and effectively removing Maduro from power[1]. The operation was described as “spectacular” by the White House and marked the first direct U.S. seizure of a sitting Venezuelan leader[2]. Streets in Caracas fell quiet as citizens limited outings amid uncertainty about the new power structure[1].
Delcy Rodríguez assumes acting presidency under U.S. guidance Loyalist Delcy Rodríguez took over presidential powers on Sunday, initially denouncing the U.S. move before extending an invitation to cooperate with Washington on a transitional agenda[1]. President Trump publicly asserted that the United States would run Venezuela through Rodríguez, framing the arrangement as a U.S.‑led interim government[2]. Rodríguez now faces the challenge of balancing U.S. expectations with competing armed factions inside the country[2].
Washington prioritizes oil sector stability in interim plan The U.S. is fast‑tracking an interim administration focused on maintaining administrative order and reviving Venezuela’s oil industry, which holds the world’s largest proven reserves[1]. Energy firms remain cautious, citing decades‑old pipeline infrastructure and billions of dollars needed for upgrades before production can rebound[1]. Congressional Republicans back the strategy, while Democrats demand formal authorization, highlighting the plan’s legal and political fragility[2].
Political backlash and reliance on regime remnants raise instability risks Democrats in Congress argue the raid resembles an act of war and call for legislative approval, whereas many Republicans continue to support Trump’s decisive foreign‑policy gamble[2]. The administration has shifted away from supporting opposition leader María Corina Machado, instead banking on cooperation from remaining Maduro allies, a move analysts warn could backfire if Rodríguez cannot command all armed groups[2]. Critics warn that coercing regime figures may exacerbate violence and undermine any democratic transition[2].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
CNN: Trump asserts US control of Venezuela after Maduro detention: reports the raid that captured Maduro and Flores, Trump’s claim of U.S. governance, Rodríguez’s interim presidency, and the oil sector’s challenges.
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[2]
CNN: Trump’s plan to run Venezuela via regime remnants carries high risks: outlines the U.S. strategy of pressuring Maduro’s aides, congressional opposition, Republican backing, oil‑focused objectives, and the dismissal of opposition figure Machado.
Timeline
Jan 5, 2026 – U.S. special‑operations forces conduct a pre‑dawn raid on the Maduro residence in Caracas, detaining President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, then ferrying them aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima before flying them to New York for a pending court appearance. [1]
Jan 5, 2026 – Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro loyalist, assumes the powers of acting president in Caracas on Sunday, initially denouncing the U.S. incursion but later extending an invitation to cooperate with Washington on a new national agenda. [1]
Jan 5, 2026 – President Donald Trump proclaims, “the United States is in charge of Venezuela,” and later adds, “the United States is running Venezuela through Rodríguez,” signalling an unprecedented claim of direct authority over a sovereign state. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – The White House pivots from a full‑scale regime‑change plan to a “decapitation” strategy that pressures Maduro’s surviving lieutenants to govern, using Rodríguez as the interim head while seeking a compliant authority in Caracas. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – Congressional Democrats demand a formal war‑powers authorization for the operation, warning of an undeclared act of war, while many Republican lawmakers publicly back the president’s bold foreign‑policy gamble. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – At a Mar‑a‑Lago news conference, Trump dismisses opposition figure María Corina Machado as a viable leader, indicating the administration’s shift toward relying on remnants of the old regime rather than the democratic opposition it once endorsed. [2]
Jan 5, 2026 – U.S. officials race to install an interim Venezuelan government focused on administrative stability and reviving the oil sector, noting that Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves but its pipelines have not been upgraded in decades and would require billions of dollars to return to peak output. [1]
Jan 5, 2026 – Streets in Caracas and other major cities fall unusually quiet as residents limit outings to essential supplies; regime loyalists appear on state television while opposition supporters celebrate the turn of events privately. [1]