Trump Warns Venezuela’s Interim Leader to Comply with US Demands or Face Severe Consequences
berbagiberkat.com – In a bold escalation of US involvement in Venezuelan affairs, President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the country’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, urging her to align with American interests following the dramatic capture of former President Nicolás Maduro. The statement comes amid heightened tensions after a US military operation on January 3, 2026, which resulted in Maduro’s apprehension and extradition to the United States.
The US Military Strike and Maduro’s Capture
The operation, described by Trump as a “large-scale strike,” targeted key military sites in Venezuela, including Fort Tiuna near Caracas. Satellite imagery released by Vantor (formerly Maxar Intelligence) shows significant damage to at least five buildings, cargo containers, and military vehicles at the complex. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured during the raid and flown to the US, where Maduro faces charges related to drug trafficking and other crimes. Trump justified the action by accusing Maduro’s regime of flooding the US with fentanyl through Venezuelan drug traffickers.
Venezuela’s Supreme Court swiftly appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, declaring the US action a “foreign military aggression” and affirming that Maduro remains the constitutional leader. Rodríguez, who also serves as oil minister, has formed a commission to seek Maduro’s release and called for a “balanced and respectful” relationship with the US.
Trump’s Direct Warning to Rodríguez
In an exclusive interview with The Atlantic published on January 4, 2026, Trump stated that the US is effectively “in charge” of Venezuela until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” occurs. He warned Rodríguez: “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.” Trump emphasized that the US would oversee the country temporarily and dismissed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado—a Nobel Peace Prize winner—as lacking sufficient support to take over.
This marks a reversal from Trump’s initial praise of Rodríguez during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on January 3, where he suggested she was “willing to do what we think is necessary.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed the sentiment, stating that the US does not recognize Rodríguez’s regime as legitimate due to the absence of free elections.
International Reactions and Broader Implications
The strike has drawn widespread condemnation. A joint statement from Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Spain, and Uruguay labeled it an “extremely dangerous precedent” and warned against US appropriation of Venezuelan resources. Cuba reported 32 of its citizens killed in the raid, while France welcomed Maduro’s ousting but criticized the unilateral US action.
Domestically, US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the operation “reckless” for lacking congressional authorization. Analysts warn that Trump’s move could embolden further interventions, potentially in Iran, amid ongoing protests there.
As Venezuela grapples with pro-government protests and damaged infrastructure, the world watches closely. Trump’s warning underscores a new era of assertive US foreign policy in Latin America, raising questions about sovereignty, international law, and the path to stability in the oil-rich nation.
