Former US President Donald Trump has declared that the United States is now "in charge" of Venezuela, following a dramatic military operation that led to the capture of the country's leader, Nicolás Maduro.
Trump's Assertion of Control
The statement was made on Sunday, 4th January 2026, as Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington, D.C. from Florida. He emphasised that his administration was now "dealing with the people that just got sworn in," an apparent reference to acting president Delcy Rodríguez.
When pressed for clarification on who was leading Venezuela, Trump was unequivocal. "It means we're in charge. We're in charge," he stated, adding that he would speak to Rodríguez "at the right time." He claimed she was already cooperating with the White House following Maduro's extraction.
Demands for Oil Access and Warnings to Neighbours
Outlining his vision for the country's future, Trump described Venezuela as a "dead country" requiring significant investment, particularly from oil companies, to rebuild its infrastructure. He insisted that the US must have "total access" to Venezuela's oil industry to facilitate this recovery.
The former president issued a stark warning to Rodríguez, suggesting she would face a situation "probably worse than Maduro" if she failed to cooperate, though he did not provide specific details.
Trump also turned his attention northwards, making incendiary claims about Venezuela's neighbour, Colombia. He labelled its president, Gustavo Petro, "a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States," alleging the country operated cocaine mills and factories.
"He's not going to be doing it for very long," Trump warned. When asked if the US would consider military action against Colombia, he replied, "It sounds good to me."
Maduro's Fate and Accusations
Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by American forces over the weekend, is scheduled to appear in a New York court on Monday, 5th January 2026. The White House's official rapid response account released a video purporting to show Maduro being escorted by DEA agents.
In a further controversial claim, Trump accused the deposed Venezuelan leader of having sent "every single drug addict" from his country into the United States. "Now we're getting them back," he added.
This series of statements marks a significant escalation in rhetoric concerning US intervention in South America, setting the stage for complex diplomatic and geopolitical repercussions in the region.
