Nearly 50 Venezuelan soldiers killed in US abduction of President Maduro

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado stated her intention to lead Venezuela "when the right time comes," a day after presenting Donald Trump with her Nobel Peace Prize medal. This comes after the U.S. seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and, instead of endorsing Machado, has been engaging with interim president Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro's former vice-president. Trump cited the U.S. experience in Iraq as informing his decision to work with Rodríguez, aiming to avoid instability. Rodríguez and the CIA director met to discuss potential economic collaboration and preventing Venezuela from becoming a haven for U.S. adversaries. Machado expressed confidence in an "orderly transition" in Venezuela and positioned herself as part of a larger movement against what she calls a "criminal structure."

Following Nicolás Maduro's removal, the CIA chief visited Venezuela as opposition leader María Corina Machado declared her intention to become the country's first female president. Machado presented her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Donald Trump, thanking him for his actions against Maduro. Despite her optimism, experts suggest Trump has sidelined Machado's movement, favoring Maduro's vice-president, Delcy Rodríguez, as acting president. Trump's administration reportedly believes Machado is incapable of maintaining security and prefers working with Maduro's allies to prevent national collapse. Machado hopes to regain Trump's favor by offering him her medal.

Following the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces on January 3, 2026, the article examines the future role of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Despite her past success in rallying support and winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, experts suggest her immediate political influence is uncertain. Machado, who had been living in hiding after the 2024 election, has been actively engaging with international figures, including Pope Leo and US President Donald Trump. While she was considered a potential successor to Maduro, she was passed over after his ouster. Analysts believe her role in shaping Venezuela's future is now more focused on long-term strategies.

Venezuelan envoy Félix Plasencia is scheduled to visit Washington D.C. on Thursday for the first official trip by a representative of the ruling "chavismo" movement in years. The visit aims to initiate the reopening of the Venezuelan embassy and signals a thaw in U.S.-Venezuela relations following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Plasencia, Venezuela's ambassador to the UK and ally of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, will arrive on the same day President Trump is set to meet with opposition leader María Corina Machado, who disputes Rodríguez's legitimacy. It remains unclear which U.S. officials will meet with Plasencia. American diplomats made a similar visit to Venezuela last week.

On Thursday, January 12, 2026, US President Donald Trump will meet with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado at the White House. This meeting comes after the US abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier in January. Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, has had limited involvement in US discussions about Venezuela's future, with Trump expressing doubts about her leadership potential. Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's former vice president, is currently serving as interim president under pressure from the US. Prior to the meeting, Machado met with Pope Leo XIV to discuss the situation in Venezuela and advocate for the release of political prisoners.

Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met with former President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. During the meeting, Machado stated that she "presented" her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump as recognition for his commitment to Venezuelan freedom, though it is unclear if he accepted it. Machado, whose movement claimed victory in Venezuela's contested 2024 elections, framed the gesture as a symbol of brotherhood between the US and Venezuela in their fight against tyranny. Trump has been dealing with Delcy Rodríguez, the acting head of state, instead of endorsing Machado. The Nobel Committee clarified that the prize itself is not transferable, although the medal can change ownership.

According to Venezuela's Defence Ministry, a US attack on Caracas on January 3, 2026, resulted in the deaths of 83 people, including 47 Venezuelan soldiers and 32 Cuban soldiers assigned to President Maduro's security detail. The attack, which involved bombings and helicopter landings, led to the abduction of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. The revised death toll is significantly higher than initial reports. Venezuela's Interior Minister stated that DNA testing is required to identify some victims due to the severity of the bombings. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has declared seven days of mourning and met with the CIA director to discuss potential issues.

Following the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro to the U.S., his son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, publicly pledged "unconditional support" to Delcy Rodríguez, the newly sworn-in interim president of Venezuela. Maduro Guerra condemned the U.S. action as a "kidnapping" and a threat to global stability. Rodríguez, formerly Maduro's vice president, was sworn in on Monday and has vowed to work with the Trump administration despite objecting to the military action. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured by U.S. forces in Caracas and are being held in New York on narco-terrorism charges. The U.S. military operation has drawn both praise and condemnation internationally, with China and Russia criticizing the action.

Following Nicolas Maduro's arrest by U.S. forces and arraignment in a New York court, Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as Venezuela's interim president on Monday. Maduro pleaded not guilty to U.S. charges of drug trafficking and terrorism, insisting he was still the legitimate president and a "prisoner of war." The swearing-in ceremony in Venezuela's parliament included demands for Maduro's release. The U.S. defended its actions at the UN, citing Maduro's illegitimacy and the need to secure Venezuela's energy reserves. Venezuela's UN ambassador condemned the U.S. operation as an "illegitimate armed attack."

Following a U.S. military operation that ousted Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela on January 3, 2026, concerns arose about the country's future stability. While Maduro was unpopular and accused of election fraud in 2024, some Venezuelans fear that U.S. intervention will lead to further chaos. Many opposed to Maduro worried about a lack of a plan for a peaceful transition of power. The intervention also evoked memories of past U.S.-backed coups in Latin America, which destabilized the region. Despite the desire to remove Maduro, there is apprehension about the potential consequences of U.S. involvement and the uncertainty it brings to Venezuela.

Venezuela faces a potential economic collapse in 2026 due to a U.S. blockade on its energy exports. Internal government projections estimate a 70% drop in oil production this year, crippling the country's primary revenue source. The U.S. is targeting tankers carrying Venezuelan crude, paralyzing exports and forcing the state oil company, PDVSA, to use storage tanks as temporary holding. Storage capacity is expected to run out by the end of January, leading to a rapid production decline from 1.2 million to under 300,000 barrels per day. This drastic reduction would severely limit Venezuela's ability to import goods and maintain essential services. The U.S. Secretary of State stated that sanctions would remain until Venezuela opens its oil industry to foreign investment.

President Trump met with oil executives in Washington on Friday to encourage investment in Venezuela, following the recent seizure of Nicolás Maduro. Trump has suggested investments of at least $100 billion, but no immediate commitments were made. ExxonMobil's CEO stated that Venezuela is currently "un-investable" due to past asset seizures and instability. While executives acknowledged Venezuela's potential due to its vast oil reserves, they emphasized the need for significant changes within the country and a welcoming environment from the government and its people. Trump acknowledged past issues, like the nationalization of assets, but said his administration would work to strike a "deal" with companies to revive the industry.

Following the U.S. abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026, uncertainty surrounds Venezuela's economic future. The U.S. announced it will control Venezuelan oil sales "indefinitely," raising concerns about revenue for Caracas. The U.S. plans to market sanctioned oil, holding proceeds in U.S. Treasury accounts to be shared between the two countries. A deal was also struck for Venezuela to export up to $2 billion worth of crude oil to the U.S. In the long term, the U.S. may ease sanctions on Venezuelan oil imports and equipment. The impact on Venezuela's economy hinges on sanctions relief, relations with the U.S., and control of oil revenues, especially considering that nearly 80% of Venezuela's budget was allocated to social spending.

In January 2026, US President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a second wave of attacks on Venezuela, citing "cooperation" from the South American nation, including the release of political prisoners. This follows a US military operation to abduct President Nicolas Maduro. Trump stated the US and Venezuela are collaborating to rebuild Venezuela's oil and gas infrastructure. He also indicated that Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado would visit Washington. Trump mentioned a planned White House meeting with oil executives, anticipating at least $100 billion in investment in Venezuela's oil industry. While ships will remain in place for security, Trump stated the second wave of attacks "will not be needed."

Following the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the U.S., acting President Delcy Rodríguez shifted from a confrontational stance to a more diplomatic one. On Sunday, January 4, 2026, Rodríguez invited the U.S. government to engage in a cooperative agenda focused on shared development and coexistence, despite previously accusing the U.S. of invading Venezuela. This statement followed a fiery speech where she demanded Maduro's return after his capture. While the U.S. President Trump threatened Rodríguez if she didn't "do what's right," her recent statement notably omitted any demand for Maduro's release. The Venezuelan Supreme Court declared Rodríguez the country's acting president.

In January 2026, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela's interim president, according to the U.S. Following this, President Trump stated that Rodríguez would cooperate with the U.S. in governing Venezuela. However, Rodríguez quickly refuted this in a televised address, condemning the U.S. as an illegal invader and affirming Venezuela's determination to remain free. She emphasized that the U.S. seeks regime change to seize Venezuela's resources. Rodríguez delivered her address alongside Venezuela’s National Defense Council, signaling a unified front against U.S. intervention. She and other Venezuelan leaders continue to recognize Nicolás Maduro as the legitimate president, defying Trump's demands.

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela's Vice President, was sworn in as interim leader in January 2026. She is known for her leftist background as the daughter of a Marxist guerrilla and her rapid rise in Nicolás Maduro's government. Despite her leftist credentials, Rodríguez has cultivated relationships with Venezuela's business community and foreign investors, spearheading market-friendly economic reforms after the country's economic crisis. While President Trump stated that Rodríguez had been sworn in as Venezuela’s new president, Rodríguez and Maduro's supporters maintain that Maduro is still the legitimate leader. She rose to prominence after Maduro became president in 2013, holding positions such as communications minister and foreign affairs minister.