Mon Jan 05 07:54:57 UTC 2026: Venezuela’s Interim Leader Rodriguez Signals Willingness to Cooperate with U.S. After Maduro’s Arrest
CARACAS, Venezuela – In a surprising turn of events, Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has extended an olive branch to the United States, calling for a “balanced and respectful relationship” in the wake of Nicolas Maduro’s capture by U.S. special forces. This comes after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were apprehended in a high-stakes military operation.
“We consider it a priority to move towards a balanced and respectful relationship between the US and Venezuela,” Rodriguez stated in a Telegram message on Sunday. “We extend an invitation to the US government to work together on an agenda for cooperation that is aimed towards shared development.”
Rodriguez, who was appointed Interim President by Venezuela’s Supreme Court following Maduro’s detention, initially condemned the U.S. action as a violation of international law. However, her recent statement signals a potential shift in strategy.
The situation has been marked by conflicting statements from both sides. Following Maduro’s capture, President Trump initially suggested communication and cooperation with Rodriguez. However, after Rodriguez publicly criticized his administration, Trump threatened her with severe consequences. He has also stated that further military action in Venezuela is possible, including the deployment of U.S. troops.
The U.S. actions have drawn criticism both domestically and internationally, with many questioning their alignment with Trump’s “America First” policy and previous opposition to foreign intervention.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez has announced the formation of a commission, led by Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, to seek the release of Maduro and Flores. Maduro is scheduled to appear in a New York federal court on Monday, facing charges of “narcoterrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machineguns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machineguns and destructive devices.”
U.S. officials have framed the arrest as a law enforcement operation to hold Maduro accountable for criminal charges. However, Trump has suggested that other factors, including Venezuelan immigration and the nationalization of U.S. oil interests, played a role in the decision to act. The situation draws parallels to the 1990 capture of Panamanian President Manuel Noriega, who faced similar drug-related charges and imprisonment.
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