Thousands march in Venezuela to demand US free President Maduro, wife

On February 4, 2026, thousands of Venezuelans marched in Caracas to demand the release of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were allegedly abducted by US forces on January 3. The demonstration, organized by the Venezuelan government, featured Maduro's son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, who condemned the US action as a desecration of Venezuelan soil. Protesters carried signs and wore shirts calling for the couple's return from US detention. According to local media, the march was part of a global day of action, with solidarity protests occurring worldwide under slogans such as "Bring them back" and "Hands off Venezuela." The demonstrators are demanding that the US government free the Venezuelan president and his wife.

In February 2026, US envoy Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas to reopen the US diplomatic mission in Venezuela, seven years after relations were severed. This follows the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces in January 2026, an action widely criticized as a violation of international law. Dogu, appointed charge d’affaires to the Venezuela Affairs Unit, will engage in talks with Venezuelan officials to create a roadmap for bilateral interests and address existing differences. Venezuela broke off diplomatic relations with the US in 2019 after then-President Trump supported Juan Guaido as interim president. A Maduro loyalist stated that reopening the embassy would allow the Venezuelan government to oversee the treatment of the deposed president.

Following the removal of Nicolas Maduro from power in January 2026 by the US, many exiled Venezuelans are hesitant to return home. Despite Maduro's absence, the existing government and its repressive elements remain in place. Many Venezuelans, like political consultant Luis Peche who fled to Colombia in 2025, fear potential violence and persecution if they return. The US has recognized Maduro's former vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, as interim leader, but gangs that suppressed dissent continue to operate. While Maduro is gone, the underlying conditions that forced many Venezuelans into exile persist, causing them to delay their return.

In February 2026, Caracas, Venezuela, became the focal point of a "Free Maduro" campaign, featuring graffiti and billboards across the city. A video report by Anatoly Kurmanaev examines the prevalence of this messaging, which is also prominent on Delcy Rodríguez's social media. The report suggests the campaign serves a dual purpose for Rodríguez. It allows her to maintain connections to Nicolás Maduro while simultaneously attempting a political rebranding. The campaign's strategic placement and visibility raise questions about its role in Venezuelan politics and Rodríguez's future ambitions. The video report was produced by Kurmanaev, Melanie Bencosme, Leila Medina, and Stephanie Swart.

In January 2026, Venezuela announced a major overhaul of its petroleum sector, easing state control and allowing private firms to invest. This decision follows earlier indications from the US, under President Trump, expressing interest in Venezuela's substantial oil reserves. The new law, signed by Venezuela's interim president, potentially opens the door for US oil companies to return to the country with significant investments. The changes raise questions about the potential benefits for both Venezuela and the United States. Experts are debating who will gain the most from this shift in policy.

In January 2026, Venezuelan lawmakers approved legislation to ease state control of the oil industry. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez signed the oil industry overhaul to attract private and foreign investment. The reform bill was backed by workers of Venezuela's state-owned PDVSA oil company. The goal of the legislation is to open the nation's oil sector to privatization. In related news, President Trump announced the U.S. will open Venezuela's commercial airspace, allowing Americans to visit.

Venezuela's legislature passed a bill on Thursday opening its oil industry to private investment, relaxing decades of state control. The reforms to the hydrocarbons bill aim to attract foreign capital by making the royalties regime more flexible, as the industry struggles under years of US sanctions. Simultaneously, the US Treasury Department began easing sanctions on Venezuelan oil, expanding the ability of US energy companies to operate in the country. These actions by both governments signal a significant geopolitical and economic shift in Venezuela, potentially allowing the US to control Venezuelan oil sales. The moves follow demands made by the US after the removal of Nicolas Maduro from power.

U.S. Ambassador Laura Dogu arrived in Caracas on Saturday to reopen the American diplomatic mission in Venezuela, which had been closed for seven years. The reopening follows a military action ordered by the U.S. President Donald Trump that removed Nicolás Maduro from office almost a month prior. Venezuela and the United States severed diplomatic ties in February 2019 after Trump supported Juan Guaidó's claim to be interim president. Venezuelan officials stated the embassy's reopening would allow oversight of Maduro, who is jailed in the U.S., and that Dogu's arrival is part of a plan to resolve differences through diplomatic dialogue. The arrival occurred a day after Venezuela's interim president announced an amnesty bill to release political prisoners.

In January 2026, US President Donald Trump announced the reopening of Venezuelan commercial airspace, signaling significant US control over the country. Trump stated that he informed interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez of upcoming visits from US oil companies seeking projects. He assured the safety of American citizens traveling to Venezuela, citing strong US control. This decision follows a US military attack on Venezuela earlier in the month, which resulted in the abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. American Airlines plans to resume flights pending US administration approval and secure conditions, after the US suspended commercial flights to Venezuela in 2019. The US has used the threat of further military action to align Venezuela with its priorities.

Former US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he instructed officials to reopen Venezuelan airspace for commercial travel, allowing American citizens to visit Venezuela soon. Trump stated he informed Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, of his decision. The announcement comes despite the State Department's existing warnings against travel to Venezuela. While the Venezuelan government has yet to comment, at least one US airline, presumably American Airlines who suspended flights in 2019, intends to resume direct flights between the two countries. Trump instructed his transport secretary and US military leaders to take steps to open Venezuelan airspace for travel by the end of the day.

Following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the U.S. military in early January 2026, Venezuelan military and police forces have pledged their allegiance to interim President Delcy Rodriguez. The loyalty pledge occurred at a ceremony in Caracas, where Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello declared their support for Rodriguez. Padrino stated the pledge was necessary after the U.S. operation that resulted in the deaths of dozens, including Venezuelan soldiers and Cuban security personnel. Rodriguez, formerly Maduro's vice president, has promised a "new political moment" and has released political prisoners. Despite threats from U.S. President Trump regarding further intervention and control of Venezuela's oil reserves, Rodriguez maintains that no foreign entity governs Venezuela.

During a heated Senate Foreign Affairs committee hearing, Secretary Rubio defended the US military action in Venezuela, which included airstrikes on Caracas and the removal of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd. Rubio insisted the actions, which he characterized as a "law enforcement operation" rather than war, were justified because Maduro was an indicted drug criminal whose removal creates conditions for prosperity and security. Critics, including Senators Kaine and Paul, questioned the legality and wisdom of the US intervention, citing the lack of Congressional approval and the 1973 War Powers Act. Rubio maintained that the US did not occupy Venezuela and has no troops on the ground, arguing Maduro's corruption necessitated the intervention. The hearing addressed concerns about circumventing Congress and the legal basis for US actions in Venezuela.

In January 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Venezuela's interim government agreed to submit a monthly budget to the Trump administration. The U.S. would then release funds from an account generated by Venezuelan oil sales, initially managed by Qatar, to fund basic public services. The plan, revealed during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, faced scrutiny from Democrats who questioned the legality, transparency, and Qatar's role. Rubio assured senators of productive communication with Delcy Rodríguez's government, stating the U.S. did not expect to use military force. However, a written statement suggested potential force if cooperation regarding Venezuela's oil industry faltered. The plan emerged following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by American forces earlier in January.