Caracas, Venezuela – January 5, 2026 – Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has called for cooperation with the United States, inviting Washington to pursue a "balanced and respectful" relationship based on international law and non-interference, in a marked shift toward diplomacy following the dramatic U.S. military operation that captured former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
In a statement posted on social media platforms including Instagram and Telegram on Sunday, Rodríguez wrote: "We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law to strengthen lasting community coexistence." She emphasized prioritizing "sovereign equality and non-interference," adding directly to President Donald Trump: "President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war." Rodríguez described this as consistent with Maduro's longstanding message and the position of "all of Venezuela right now."
The conciliatory tone follows Rodríguez's initial sharp condemnation of the January 3 U.S. raid as an "illegal kidnapping" and act of aggression. As vice president under Maduro, she was elevated to acting president by a ruling from Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice shortly after the operation, assuming executive duties amid the power vacuum.
President Trump, responding to questions about Rodríguez aboard Air Force One on Sunday, described her as "cooperating" and noted that U.S. officials were "dealing with the people that just got sworn in." However, he issued a stern warning: if she fails to comply, she "will face a situation probably worse than Maduro." Trump specified demands including "total access" to Venezuela's oil resources and other assets to "rebuild their country," framing U.S. involvement as necessary for reconstruction and transition.
Maduro and Flores arrived in New York late Saturday following their extraction from Caracas during the U.S.-led strikes. They are currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, a federal facility known for housing high-profile inmates. The couple faces longstanding federal charges in the Southern District of New York, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation, and cooperation with designated terrorist organizations such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Maduro has consistently denied the allegations, with Venezuelan officials demanding their immediate release.
The operation, which Trump described as a "large-scale strike," has drawn widespread international scrutiny for its implications on sovereignty and international law. While some U.S. allies have remained muted or focused on potential democratic transitions, critics including China, Russia, and several Latin American nations have condemned it as unilateral aggression.
Rodríguez's pivot to dialogue appears aimed at de-escalation, potentially preserving elements of the Chavista structure while navigating U.S. pressure. Analysts suggest her background as a pragmatic figure—previously handling oil policy and economic matters—may facilitate negotiations, though hardliners within the regime could resist concessions on key assets like petroleum infrastructure.
Trump's administration has prioritized Venezuela's vast oil reserves, the largest proven in the world, as central to any rebuilding efforts, with threats of further action if cooperation falters. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been involved in communications with Venezuelan officials, reportedly signaling expectations for compliance.
As Maduro prepares for an initial court appearance in Manhattan—expected on Monday—the situation remains fluid. Rodríguez has convened cabinet meetings and urged resumption of normal activities, while military leaders pledge loyalty to constitutional continuity. Protests and rallies have occurred in Caracas, reflecting divided public sentiment.
This development highlights a delicate balancing act: Rodríguez's outreach seeks to avert escalation, but Trump's demands for access and warnings underscore assertive U.S. posture. International bodies, including the UN Security Council, are monitoring closely, with calls for restraint and lawful resolution predominant.
The crisis continues to evolve, with potential ramifications for regional stability, energy markets, and U.S. foreign policy precedents in the hemisphere.
