The fall of Nicolás Maduro’s regime was swift and decisive, yet the aftermath proved unexpectedly turbulent. President Trump issued a direct, uncompromising message to Venezuela’s newly appointed interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez: cooperate with the United States, or face consequences exceeding those suffered by Maduro himself.
On January 3rd, 2026, Venezuela’s Supreme Court invoked a clause citing Maduro’s “material and temporary impossibility” to govern, effectively transferring presidential duties to Vice President Rodríguez. This move occurred amidst the immediate aftermath of the U.S.-backed operation that removed Maduro from power, ending years of oppressive rule.
During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump announced the United States would administer Venezuela “for a period of time,” overseeing a transition towards stability and a reversal of the nation’s decades-long economic decline. Initial reports suggested Rodríguez was receptive to collaboration, offering a glimmer of hope for a peaceful reconstruction.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly engaged in direct conversations with Rodríguez, with Trump stating she appeared “willing to do what’s necessary to make Venezuela great again.” This optimistic outlook, however, evaporated with astonishing speed.
Within hours, Rodríguez appeared on Venezuelan state television, flanked by members of the “National Defense Council.” She vehemently denounced the U.S. intervention as an “illegal and illegitimate kidnapping,” a “barbaric” act of aggression against Venezuelan sovereignty.
Rodríguez passionately declared Venezuela’s determination to remain free, accusing Washington of orchestrating regime change solely to plunder the nation’s vast oil reserves and natural resources. She steadfastly maintained that Maduro remained the legitimate president, vowing to continue his policies and resist any form of neo-colonialism.
The defense minister and attorney general echoed Rodríguez’s condemnation, launching public attacks against President Trump and the U.S. military action that had finally brought an end to Maduro’s reign of terror. Their defiance signaled a hardening of positions and a rejection of U.S. oversight.
Trump responded with a stark ultimatum, delivered without hesitation. In an interview, he warned Rodríguez that she would “pay a very big price—probably bigger than Maduro” if she refused to align with U.S. objectives. He made it clear that resistance would not be tolerated.
Dismissing criticism of the intervention as misguided concern, Trump argued that any path forward, even “regime change,” was preferable to the continued suffering under Maduro’s rule. He asserted that Venezuela simply “can’t get any worse.”
