President Trump’s bold military extraction of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has shattered decades of socialist tyranny, but the corrupt regime’s military now backs his handpicked successor in a desperate bid to maintain power.
Story Highlights
- US forces successfully captured Maduro in Caracas operation, bringing him to New York for narco-trafficking trial
- Venezuelan military recognizes Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president for 90 days
- Trump warns Rodriguez faces “very big price” if she refuses cooperation with American demands
- Regional leftist governments condemn US intervention while 8 million Venezuelan exiles celebrate
Trump Delivers on Maduro Promise
US special forces executed a precision strike in Caracas over the weekend, successfully capturing Nicolas Maduro and his wife after years of failed diplomatic efforts. The operation killed several bodyguards and military personnel who resisted the extraction.
Maduro now sits in a New York detention facility awaiting Monday’s hearing on narco-trafficking and terrorism charges, marking the first time American forces have directly removed a sitting Latin American leader.
Venezuela's military said it recognizes Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the country's acting leader after Nicolas Maduro was extracted from Caracas by U.S. forces on Saturday.
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 4, 2026
Military Backs Regime Continuity Under Rodriguez
Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez announced Sunday that Venezuela’s military high command recognizes Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting president for 90 days, following a Supreme Court ruling.
Padrino condemned the US operation as a “cowardly kidnapping” while urging Venezuelans to resume normal activities amid widespread business closures and food queues in Caracas. This military endorsement ensures chavismo’s survival despite Maduro’s removal, disappointing hopes for genuine democratic transition.
Rodriguez, previously sanctioned by both the US and European Union for human rights abuses, initially defied American demands by declaring Maduro the sole legitimate leader. Her appointment represents continuity of the same corrupt socialist policies that drove 8 million Venezuelans into exile and destroyed the nation’s economy through hyperinflation and mismanagement.
America First Policy Tests New Venezuelan Leadership
President Trump issued a stern warning to Rodriguez through The Atlantic, stating she faces a “very big price” if she fails to cooperate with American demands. Trump declared the US will “run” Venezuela’s reconstruction, abandoning his previous opposition to nation-building given the country’s strategic oil reserves and proximity to American borders.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington will judge Rodriguez’s government by actions, not words, while deeming immediate elections premature.
This direct intervention represents a significant escalation from previous sanctions-based approaches, demonstrating Trump’s commitment to protecting American interests in the hemisphere. The operation’s success validates the administration’s willingness to use military force against narco-terrorist regimes threatening regional stability, sending a clear message to other hostile governments in Cuba and Nicaragua.
