Trump Issues Stark Warning to Venezuela’s New Leader Following Maduro’s Capture
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Former President Donald Trump delivered a pointed warning to Venezuela’s newly installed leader, Delcy Rodríguez, signaling that she would face harsh repercussions if she resisted U.S. demands following the dramatic capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The warning came amid heightened tensions after a covert American operation successfully detained Maduro and transferred him to U.S. custody.
In an interview with The Atlantic, Trump stated that Rodríguez would “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro” if she failed to cooperate and “do what’s right.” He emphasized that his administration would not tolerate what he described as her defiant rejection of U.S. intervention in Venezuela’s political affairs. “Rebuilding there and regime change, anything you want to call it, is better than what you have right now. Can’t get any worse,” Trump asserted.
The operation, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” was announced in the early hours of January 3, 2026, when U.S. forces executed a precise mission that resulted in Maduro’s capture. The former Venezuelan leader was subsequently transported to the United States and appeared in handcuffs at the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York office. The DEA has since taken custody of Maduro as investigations into his alleged criminal activities continue.
At a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago estate, Trump declared that a U.S.-appointed team would “run Venezuela” until the country’s political environment stabilized. He also pledged to restore American energy investments in Venezuela, a nation that holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Trump framed his approach to Venezuela through what he called a modernized version of the Monroe Doctrine, a 19th-century policy aimed at limiting foreign influence in the Western Hemisphere. He dubbed this strategy the “Donroe Doctrine,” signaling a renewed U.S. commitment to assert its influence in Latin America.
Trump’s remarks came amid a broader debate over the legality and implications of the U.S. military operation in Venezuela. Some lawmakers praised the mission as a decisive blow against a regime they have long criticized for corruption and drug trafficking. Senator Lindsey Graham called the capture a “prime example of America at her best,” while other voices cautioned about the risks of prolonged U.S. involvement in the region.
The U.S. Department of State has yet to issue an official comment on Trump’s statements or the ongoing situation in Venezuela. However, the operation and subsequent political developments have already sent ripples through international diplomatic circles, with many watching closely to see how the new leadership under Rodríguez will respond to mounting U.S. pressure.
As Venezuela stands at a crossroads, the world’s largest oil reserves and its strategic position in Latin America make the stakes particularly high. The unfolding events mark a significant moment in U.S. foreign policy, underscoring a willingness to take bold actions to reshape the political landscape of a key regional player.
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