In January 2026, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez became the country’s interim leader following a U.S. military operation that captured and removed President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from Caracas.
Following the operation, significant developments occurred regarding Rodríguez’s stance and President Trump’s warnings:
- Trump’s “Big Price” Warning: On January 4, 2026, President Trump stated in an interview with The Atlantic that Rodríguez would pay a “very big price, probably bigger than Maduro” if she did not “do what’s right”. He emphasized that the U.S. intended to “run” Venezuela until a transition could be achieved and demanded “total access” to the country’s oil reserves.
- Rodríguez’s Shift: While initially condemning the U.S. operation as an “atrocity” and a violation of international law, Rodríguez struck a more conciliatory tone by the evening of January 4. She posted a message on social media inviting Washington to “collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation” and called for a “balanced and respectful relationship”.
- U.S. Interpretation: Trump told reporters that Rodríguez had been “quite gracious” in communications with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and claimed she was “essentially willing to do what we think is necessary”.
Broader Context: The U.S. maintains a military “quarantine” on Venezuelan oil exports to ensure the new leadership complies with American demands. Meanwhile, Nicolás Maduro is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, awaiting trial on drug trafficking and weapons charges.
