Caracas, Venezuela — On Monday, January 5, 2026, Venezuela's National Assembly formally swore in Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, two days after U.S. military forces captured former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a dramatic overnight operation in Caracas. Rodríguez, who had served as Maduro's vice president, took the oath amid emotional speeches condemning the U.S. action as an "illegitimate military aggression" while pledging continuity and efforts to secure Maduro's return.
"I take this oath with pain over the kidnapping of our heroes, the hostages in the United States," Rodríguez said during the ceremony, referring to Maduro and Flores. She vowed to "work tirelessly to guarantee the peace, spiritual, economic, and social tranquility of our people." The session, held at the Federal Legislative Palace, also saw the reelection of Rodríguez's brother, Jorge Rodríguez, as president of the National Assembly, further consolidating influence within the ruling socialist party.
Jorge Rodríguez addressed lawmakers, stating, "All procedures, all platforms, and all avenues will be pursued to bring back Nicolás Maduro Moros, my brother, my president." Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the former president's son, also spoke, assuring continuity: "Count on me, count on my family. Venezuela is in good hands until my parents return." Thousands of supporters gathered outside the palace, chanting slogans in support of Maduro and the new interim leadership.
The swearing-in followed a ruling by Venezuela's Supreme Court on January 3 ordering Rodríguez to assume acting presidential duties due to Maduro's "forced absence." The military has pledged loyalty to Rodríguez, emphasizing a return to normalcy.
The events stem from a U.S.-led operation codenamed "Operation Absolute Resolve" early on January 3, when American special forces, supported by airstrikes on military targets including La Carlota air base and Fort Tiuna, seized Maduro and Flores from their residence. Explosions were reported across Caracas, with smoke rising from several sites and temporary power outages in parts of the city. U.S. officials described the raid as a law enforcement action to apprehend Maduro on longstanding federal charges, facilitated by military support.
President Donald Trump announced the capture on social media, calling it a "large-scale strike" and stating the U.S. would temporarily "run" Venezuela while tapping its oil reserves. Maduro and Flores were flown to New York, where they appeared in Manhattan federal court on January 5. Maduro, shackled and in prison garb, pleaded not guilty to charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices. "I am innocent. I am a decent man," he declared, insisting he remained Venezuela's president and had been "kidnapped." Flores also pleaded not guilty.
A superseding indictment unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice accuses Maduro of leading a decades-long drug trafficking network involving partnerships with groups like the Sinaloa cartel, Tren de Aragua, and former Colombian rebels, allegedly flooding the U.S. with thousands of tons of cocaine. The charges build on a 2020 indictment that offered rewards up to $50 million for Maduro's arrest.
The operation has sparked global controversy. China demanded Maduro's immediate release, while Cuba reported casualties among its personnel in Venezuela. Leaders from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil condemned the action as a violation of sovereignty. The UN Security Council held an emergency session on January 5, with divisions evident as U.S. allies expressed concern over the precedent. UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned of risks to international law.
In Venezuela, a tense calm prevailed in Caracas over the weekend, with shops closed and residents stocking supplies. Rodríguez, in subsequent statements, extended an olive branch to the U.S., inviting cooperation "within the framework of international law" while maintaining defiance against the raid. Trump has praised potential collaboration but warned of consequences if Rodríguez does not align with U.S. interests.
Legal experts debate the operation's legality, comparing it to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama to arrest Manuel Noriega. U.S. officials argue Maduro's indictment stripped him of head-of-state immunity, as Washington does not recognize his legitimacy post-2024 disputed elections.
The crisis marks a pivotal shift for Venezuela, long plagued by economic collapse, hyperinflation, and mass emigration under Maduro's rule. With Rodríguez at the helm—backed by the military and key institutions—the country faces uncertainty over oil policy, potential elections, and relations with Washington. Maduro's next court date is set for March 17, 2026.
