Caracas, Venezuela — Nicolás Ernesto Maduro Guerra, the 35-year-old son of captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, urged supporters to take to the streets in protest on Sunday, January 4, 2026, vowing defiance against what he described as U.S. interference and warning that those responsible for betraying his family would face consequences.
"You will see us in the streets. You will see a united people. You will see us wave the flags of dignity," Maduro Guerra said in an audio message circulated on social media. "They want to see us weak, but they won’t see us that way." He added, "I swear on my life, I swear on my dad, I swear on Cilia, that we’re going to get out of this mess."
Maduro Guerra, a member of Venezuela's National Assembly and often nicknamed "Nicolasito" or "The Prince," also issued a veiled threat regarding potential informants who may have aided U.S. forces in locating his father. "History will tell who the traitors were; history will reveal it," he said, emphasizing that revelations about any betrayal were inevitable.
The younger Maduro remains in Venezuela and has been actively involved in the government's response to the crisis. He is one of several high-profile figures facing U.S. indictments related to alleged drug trafficking. A superseding indictment unsealed on January 3, 2026, charges him with conspiracy to import cocaine into the United States and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices. Prosecutors allege that Maduro Guerra played a direct role in coordinating shipments, including hundreds of kilograms of cocaine sent to Miami in 2017 via shipping containers, and discussions about routing lower-quality cocaine to New York when it could not be sold in Florida markets.
These charges build on a 2020 indictment that initially targeted his father and stepmother, Cilia Flores, accusing the family and senior officials of partnering with narco-terrorist groups to flood the U.S. with cocaine. The U.S. Department of Justice claims the operation contributed to hundreds of thousands of American overdose deaths annually.
Maduro Guerra's call for protests came amid a tense atmosphere in Caracas, where small groups of supporters gathered on Sunday, waving flags and displaying posters of the ousted leader. However, widespread demonstrations did not immediately materialize, with many residents staying indoors amid uncertainty and reported power outages lingering from the U.S. operation.
The statements followed the dramatic U.S.-led raid early on January 3, dubbed "Operation Absolute Resolve," in which special forces seized Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores from their residence. The operation involved over 150 aircraft disabling Venezuelan air defenses and striking military sites, resulting in explosions across the capital and temporary blackouts. Maduro and Flores were flown to New York, where they pleaded not guilty on January 5 to charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez, sworn in on January 5, has maintained a defiant tone while hinting at possible dialogue with Washington. During her oath ceremony, she referred to Maduro as a "hostage" and vowed efforts for his return, though U.S. officials have indicated cooperation from the new leadership.
Maduro Guerra, appointed by his father in 2013 as Head of the Corps of Special Inspectors of the Presidency, has long been a visible figure in the socialist government. His role in the National Assembly and proximity to power have made him a target of U.S. sanctions and indictments, alongside other officials like Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López and former Vice President for the Economy Tareck El Aissami.
The younger Maduro's message aimed to rally "Chavismo" loyalists—the political movement founded by late President Hugo Chávez—insisting it would endure despite the upheaval. Some supporters responded by demonstrating in Caracas, though the military and key institutions have pledged loyalty to Rodríguez, contributing to a relative calm.
International reactions remain divided. Allies like China, Russia, and Cuba condemned the U.S. action and demanded Maduro's release, while several Latin American nations criticized it as a sovereignty violation. The UN Security Council discussed the legality of the raid, with experts debating parallels to the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.
As Venezuela navigates this unprecedented crisis—marked by economic hardship, mass emigration, and now direct U.S. intervention—Maduro Guerra's calls highlight ongoing resistance within the ruling circle. Analysts note that while protests could escalate tensions, the regime's control over security forces may limit large-scale unrest.
The case against the Maduro family underscores longstanding U.S. accusations of state-sponsored drug trafficking, with rewards once offered up to $50 million for information leading to the elder Maduro's arrest. His trial is scheduled to proceed, with a next court date in March.
