Venezuela’s Rodríguez Navigates Crisis as Acting Leader After U.S. Captures Maduro
By Mariana Alfaro, Samantha Schmidt and Erin Cunningham
January 5, 2026 at 3:26 a.m. EST | Updated 22 minutes ago
Following a dramatic U.S. military raid that captured President Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s political future rests in the hands of veteran politician Delcy Rodríguez, who has assumed the role of acting leader amid intense pressure from Washington and a deeply divided nation.
In a significant shift in tone, Rodríguez stated on Sunday that she is willing to cooperate with the United States on the country’s future, calling for a “balanced and respectful relationship”. This marks a strategic pivot from her initial televised address, where she denounced the U.S. operation as an “atrocity that violates international law” and insisted Maduro remained Venezuela’s only legitimate president.
Her conciliatory message comes with a clear warning from U.S. President Donald Trump, who told The Atlantic: “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro”. Trump has asserted that the U.S. is “in charge” of Venezuela and would “run the country” until a transition can be arranged.
The Transition of Power
Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice formally ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the powers and duties of acting president on January 3, concluding that the captured Maduro was in a “material and temporary impossibility to exercise his functions”. She was officially sworn in on the morning of January 5.
· Initial Condemnation: Rodríguez first appeared on state television to condemn the U.S. action, framing it as a kidnapping and a savage attack on national sovereignty.
· Strategic Pivot: Within a day, her public stance softened considerably. On Telegram, she expressed a desire to work with the U.S. on an “agenda for cooperation” aimed at shared development.
· Primary Objective: Rodríguez announced the creation of a commission, co-chaired by her brother Jorge Rodríguez and Foreign Minister Yvan Gil, dedicated to securing the release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from U.S. detention.
Operation “Absolute Resolve”: The U.S. Military Action
The operation that upended Venezuela’s government, codenamed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was a meticulously planned military and law enforcement raid.
· Scale and Execution: Early on January 3, more than 150 U.S. aircraft conducted airstrikes and supported an apprehension force that landed in Caracas. The operation involved elite units like the Army’s Delta Force and the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team.
· The Capture: Helicopters touched down at Maduro’s compound at 2:01 a.m. local time. Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores were captured and flown to the USS Iwo Jima before being transported to New York.
· Casualties and Charges: Venezuelan and Cuban officials report over 80 killed, including 32 Cuban military personnel. Maduro and Flores now face federal charges in New York for narcoterrorism conspiracy and related crimes.
Delcy Rodríguez: The Veteran Politician in the Spotlight
At 56, Delcy Rodríguez is a lawyer and diplomat with a long history in the governments of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro.
Key Political Roles:
· Vice President of Venezuela (2018–Present)
· Minister of Petroleum and Hydrocarbons (2024–2025)
· Minister of Foreign Affairs (2014–2017)
· President of the Constituent National Assembly (2017–2018)
Born into a politically active family—her father was a founder of the Socialist League—Rodríguez is known as a fiercely loyal and capable administrator. She is credited with helping stabilize Venezuela’s economy and increase oil production despite U.S. sanctions. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, is the president of Venezuela’s National Assembly.
International Reactions and Legal Controversy
The U.S. action has sparked global debate over sovereignty and international law.
· U.S. Justification: The Trump administration frames the operation as a lawful action to apprehend individuals indicted on serious criminal charges.
· International Condemnation: China has called for Maduro’s immediate release, condemning the “blatant use of force against a sovereign state”. Iran similarly denounced the act as “illegal”.
· European Division: While most European governments called for calm, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni broke ranks, calling the U.S. actions “legitimate”.
An Uncertain Future
The path forward for Venezuela is fraught with complexity. While Trump has mused about controlling Venezuela’s vast 303 billion barrels of oil reserves, experts warn that securing the country would be difficult and that its political divisions run deep.
Acting President Rodríguez now walks a tightrope. She must maintain the support of the Chavista power structure and military at home while navigating Trump’s threats and demands from Washington. Her ability to manage this crisis will determine not only her political fate but also the immediate future of a nation in turmoil.
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