The Venezuelan government has moved swiftly to demonstrate its operational independence from the United States, following the dramatic capture of its long-standing authoritarian leader, Nicolás Maduro, by American forces.
New Leadership Takes Charge in Caracas
In a pointed display of continuity, lawmakers aligned with the ruling party convened in the capital, Caracas, on Monday, 5th January 2026. They proceeded with a scheduled ceremony to swear in the National Assembly for a term extending to 2031. The session was attended by Maduro's son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, making his first public appearance since the weekend's events.
The central act was the swearing-in of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro and has pledged to work with the Trump administration, took the oath from her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who was re-elected as the assembly's speaker.
"I come with sorrow for the suffering inflicted upon the Venezuelan people following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland," Rodríguez stated during the ceremony.
Condemnation and Conciliation
The gathering in Caracas was dominated by speeches condemning the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on Saturday from their home on a military base. Maduro Guerra warned that the precedent set was a global threat. "If we normalise the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today, it’s Venezuela. Tomorrow, it could be any nation that refuses to submit," he declared.
He demanded the return of his father and stepmother and denounced being named a co-conspirator in the US federal indictment. Meanwhile, Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges in a New York courtroom, proclaiming himself an "innocent" and "decent man."
In a notable shift from initial defiance, Interim President Rodríguez adopted a more conciliatory tone on Sunday, expressing a desire for "respectful relations" with the US. She invited Washington to collaborate on an agenda of cooperation within international law. This followed a threat from President Donald Trump that she could "pay a very big price" for non-compliance.
US Stance and Future Relations
The US administration has sent mixed signals about its intentions. While President Trump stated the US would "run" Venezuela temporarily, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified it would not govern day-to-day. Instead, the focus would be on enforcing an existing "oil quarantine" to pressure for policy changes, including halting drug trafficking and reforming the oil industry for public benefit.
In a significant development, a US State Department official indicated on Monday that preliminary plans are underway to potentially reopen the American embassy in Caracas, should Trump decide to return diplomats to the country.
The political theatre in Venezuela continues as the nation navigates an unprecedented crisis, with its former leader facing US justice and a new administration attempting to chart a course between national sovereignty and immense external pressure.
