Former United States President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Venezuela’s incoming leader, Delcy Rodríguez, cautioning that she could face consequences “even more severe than Nicolás Maduro” if she fails to act in line with Washington’s expectations.
The US government accuses Maduro of operating what it describes as a “narco-terrorist” system. Despite these accusations, Maduro has denied any involvement in criminal networks and insists that the charges are politically motivated.
Rodríguez Signals Willingness to Engage the United States
Delcy Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president, adopted a notably moderate tone during her first cabinet meeting on Sunday. She publicly expressed openness to cooperation with the United States, emphasizing diplomacy and adherence to international law.
“We extend an invitation to the United States government to work with us on a cooperative agenda focused on shared development, within the boundaries of international law,” Rodríguez stated.
US Officials Deny War Declaration Despite Military Action
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissed claims that the United States is at war with Venezuela, following military operations in Caracas on Saturday that resulted in the arrest of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The pair were subsequently transported to the United States.
Some Democratic lawmakers criticized the action, labeling it an “act of war.” However, Rubio maintained that the operation targeted criminal networks rather than the Venezuelan state itself.
“We are not at war with Venezuela,” Rubio said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press. “We are at war with international drug trafficking organizations.”
Trump Threatens Consequences and Supports Regime Change
In his interview with The Atlantic, Trump reiterated his warning to Rodríguez, saying that failure to “do what’s right” would result in serious repercussions. He argued that political change in Venezuela—regardless of how it is defined—would be an improvement over the current situation.
“Call it regime change or whatever you want,” Trump remarked. “Anything is better than what exists now. It can’t get worse.”
Trump also posted an image on social media showing Maduro aboard the USS Iwo Jima after his arrest, depicting him wearing a blindfold and headphones.
The former president further claimed that the United States would temporarily oversee Venezuela until a “safe, proper, and judicious transition” could take place. He added that US oil companies would be brought in to repair infrastructure and revive oil production for economic benefit.
Regional Tensions and International Fallout
Despite Trump’s statements, Maduro’s political allies remain influential within Venezuela. Cuba, a longstanding ally of the Venezuelan government, reported that 32 Cuban combatants were killed during the US operation. The Cuban government declared two days of national mourning in response.
Rubio also warned that the United States retains “multiple levers of leverage” should Venezuela fail to comply with US expectations. Among those measures is the continued restriction—described as a “quarantine”—on Venezuelan oil exports.
“We’re going to assess everything based on their actions,” Rubio said. “Our interests will be protected.”
Trump Expands Criticism to Colombia
Trump did not limit his remarks to Venezuela alone. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he issued harsh comments about neighboring Colombia and its president, Gustavo Petro.
He suggested that military action against Colombia was not off the table, stating that such a move “sounds good,” and accused Petro of overseeing cocaine production destined for the United States. Trump described the Colombian leader as “a sick man” and claimed Colombia was being run by a deeply flawed administration.
Maduro’s Arrest and Legal Proceedings
According to US officials, Maduro and his wife were apprehended at their residence during a coordinated special forces operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday. The mission also involved air strikes on military installations.
The couple now faces formal charges related to drug trafficking and weapons violations and is expected to appear before a New York court.
Maduro has dismissed the accusations, asserting that the US is exploiting its so-called “war on drugs” as a justification to remove him from power and gain access to Venezuela’s oil resources.
Disputed Casualties and Congressional Oversight
While US authorities claim no American personnel were injured during the operation, Venezuela’s Defense Minister, Vladimir Padrino, alleged that numerous members of Maduro’s security detail, along with soldiers and civilians, were killed.
Rubio defended the lack of congressional notification, stating that the mission did not qualify as an invasion and therefore did not require prior approval. He described it as a law-enforcement action carried out on the ground by FBI agents.
“You can’t inform Congress in advance about an operation like this—it would leak,” Rubio said during an interview with ABC.
When asked whether the United States recognizes Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s legitimate president, Rubio responded that legitimacy was not the issue, emphasizing that Washington does not recognize the Venezuelan regime as valid.
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