Delcy Rodriguez Assumes Interim Presidency After U.S. Capture of Nicolás Maduro
Updated (2 articles)
U.S. raid detains Maduro and Cilia Flores in Caracas The United States launched a coordinated strike on Caracas early Saturday, January 5, deploying more than 150 aircraft and roughly 200 personnel [2]. President Donald Trump ordered the operation, which seized President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores and flew them to New York for drug‑trafficking charges [1][2]. Maduro appeared before a federal judge, pleaded not guilty to four counts—including narco‑terrorism—and was escorted out in shackles; his next hearing is set for March 17 [2].
Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as acting president Venezuela’s single‑chamber National Assembly convened on January 5‑6 and administered the oath to Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez, 56, who described the ceremony as taking place “with pain” after the “kidnapping” of Maduro [2][1]. She pledged to guarantee peace and signaled willingness to cooperate with Washington within international law, while simultaneously asserting that Maduro remains the country’s “only” president [1]. The swearing‑in formalized an immediate executive transition following the U.S. raid [1].
Supreme Court, military and legislature endorse Rodríguez Venezuela’s Supreme Court issued an order authorizing Rodríguez to assume the presidency in an acting capacity, and the armed forces publicly declared their support the following day [1]. The National Assembly, dominated by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV), denounced the U.S. operation, chanted pro‑Maduro slogans, and re‑elected Jorge Rodríguez—Delcy’s brother—as speaker, consolidating sibling control of the executive and legislative branches [1]. Senior PSUV lawmakers vowed to use “all procedures, all platforms, and all avenues” to secure Maduro’s return [1].
Global backlash and U.S. justification The United Nations convened an emergency Security Council session as diplomats worldwide condemned the raid as an illegal armed attack [2]. U.S. officials defended the action as a “surgical law‑enforcement operation,” labeling Maduro an “illegitimate so‑called president” and promising to run Venezuela until a “judicious transition” while allowing U.S. oil firms to repair infrastructure [2]. President Trump warned Rodríguez that non‑compliance with U.S. demands could trigger harsher consequences, underscoring the diplomatic and economic stakes [1].
Sources
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1.
The Hindu:Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as interim president after U.S. forces seize Nicolas Maduro —Details the parliamentary oath, Supreme Court order, military backing, and Trump’s warning, emphasizing domestic institutional consolidation after the U.S. capture .
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2.
BBC:Delcy Rodríguez sworn interim president after US arrests Nicolás Maduro, who is arraigned in New York —Focuses on the U.S. raid’s scale, Maduro’s New York arraignment, Rodríguez’s oath with “pain,” and international criticism versus U.S. claims of a “surgical” operation .
Timeline
May 2025 – The May elections give the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its allies a large majority in the National Assembly, setting the legislative backdrop for the crisis that follows [2].
Jan 5, 2026 – U.S. forces, on President Donald Trump’s orders, launch strikes on Caracas early Saturday, seize President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, and fly them to New York to face drug‑trafficking charges [2].
Jan 5, 2026 – The raid deploys more than 150 aircraft and roughly 200 U.S. personnel, underscoring the operation’s scale and fueling accusations of an “illegitimate armed attack” [1].
Jan 5, 2026 – The UN Security Council convenes an emergency session, where diplomats worldwide condemn the U.S. use of force in Venezuela [1].
Jan 5, 2026 – The U.S. ambassador to the UN labels Maduro an “illegitimate so‑called president” and a “fugitive from justice,” framing the capture as a lawful pursuit [1].
Jan 5, 2026 – Venezuela’s National Assembly swears in Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president; she says she takes the oath “with pain,” calls the seizure a “kidnapping,” and pledges to guarantee peace while offering cooperation within international law [1][2].
Jan 5, 2026 – Thousands gather outside the Federal Legislative Palace to back Maduro, his wife, and Rodríguez, while Maduro’s son publicly vows that his parents “will return” and offers unconditional support [1].
Jan 5, 2026 – In a New York courtroom, Maduro pleads not guilty to four charges, insists he remains Venezuela’s president, and is escorted out in shackles; a next hearing is scheduled for Mar 17, 2026 [1].
Jan 5, 2026 – President Trump declares the United States will “run” Venezuela until a “safe and proper and judicious transition” and says U.S. oil companies will move in to repair infrastructure [1].
Jan 5, 2026 – U.S. officials defend the raid as a “surgical law‑enforcement operation,” despite global criticism [1].
Jan 6, 2026 – Venezuela’s Supreme Court orders Delcy Rodríguez to assume the presidency in an acting capacity, giving her a legal mandate [2].
Jan 6, 2026 – The Venezuelan military publicly throws its support behind Rodríguez, reinforcing her de‑facto authority [2].
Jan 6, 2026 – The National Assembly re‑elects Jorge Rodríguez, Delcy’s brother, as speaker, consolidating sibling control of the executive and legislative branches [2].
Jan 6, 2026 – Senior PSUV lawmakers pledge to use “all procedures, all platforms, and all avenues” to restore Maduro, while Trump warns Rodríguez that she could face harsher consequences if she fails to meet U.S. demands on reforms and oil access [2].
Mar 17, 2026 – A scheduled hearing will address Maduro’s arraignment, determining the next legal steps in the U.S. case against him [1].