President Donald Trump has significantly qualified his earlier assertion that the United States would "run" Venezuela, following the dramatic capture of the country's president, Nicolás Maduro. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on 4 January 2026, Trump shifted focus to the interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, demanding she accommodate Washington's terms or face potential further military action.
Shifting Stance and Republican Unease
The prospect of direct US control over Venezuela appeared to recede on Sunday, amid pointed questions from top Republicans. Trump revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Rodríguez, who reportedly told him "we'll do whatever you need." Trump remarked, "She, I think, was quite gracious, but she really doesn't have a choice."
Rodríguez, 56, had initially pledged loyalty to the ousted Maduro and condemned his capture as an atrocity just a day prior. US officials stated that while a full takeover now seems less likely, a 15,000-strong US force remains stationed in the Caribbean, poised for a fresh intervention if demands are not met.
Domestic Fury and International Fallout
The unilateral military action has ignited fierce criticism at home and abroad. Democratic leaders slammed the raid as an illegal act conducted without the required congressional approval. Senator Chris Murphy accused the administration of lying, stating that briefings had framed the operation as a counter-narcotics mission, not regime change.
Protests erupted in several US cities over the weekend, even as celebrations broke out in communities like Doral, Florida, where a large Venezuelan diaspora cheered Maduro's downfall. Internationally, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen rebuked Trump's renewed threats to annex Greenland, stating the US "has no right" to do so.
Broader Implications and Other News
The intervention has sparked wider concerns about the Trump administration's reliability. Canadian officials warned that US health institutions can no longer be depended upon for accurate information, particularly on vaccinations. Meanwhile, experts cautioned that Trump's policies have dangerously eroded the US capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters.
In other developments, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that Venezuelans under Temporary Protected Status could apply for refugee status, seeking a leader in Caracas who will be a "partner" in stopping drug trafficking. A Wisconsin judge convicted of obstruction for helping an immigrant evade federal officers also resigned.
