05.01.2026 12:51
After the detention of Venezuelan President Maduro in a U.S. operation, it was decided that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez would take over as the country's interim President. The NYT reported that Rodriguez, whom Trump threatened by saying "You will pay a heavier price," was identified weeks ago as the person to replace Maduro. It was noted that the belief that Rodriguez could protect American energy investments in the future influenced this decision.
It was claimed that the Donald Trump administration in the United States shaped its Venezuela plan in line with U.S. interests and saw Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as a more "reasonable" option for interim leadership following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
MADURO'S RELAXED ATTITUDE AFFECTED THE WHITE HOUSE'S DECISION According to a report by The New York Times (NYT) based on U.S. and Venezuelan sources familiar with the matter, Maduro's "relaxed" demeanor reflected in the public in recent weeks was interpreted by some members of Trump's team as "not taking the U.S. seriously" and "bluffing." Sources argued that Maduro's attitude influenced the White House's decision to implement military threats against Venezuela.
"RODRIGUEZ MAY PROTECT AMERICAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS IN THE FUTURE" Sources indicated that U.S. officials weeks ago reached a consensus on a "reasonable" name to replace Maduro, settling on Vice President Rodriguez, noting that the belief that Rodriguez could protect American energy investments in the future influenced this decision.
A senior U.S. official speaking to the newspaper stated that they did not claim Rodriguez was a "permanent solution," but they believed a professional relationship could be established with her that was not possible with Maduro.
Delcy Rodriguez NOBEL-PRIZE-WINNING OPPOSITION LEADER SIDELINED The Trump administration's sidelining of Nobel Prize-winning opposition leader Maria Corina Machado in favor of Rodriguez is interpreted as a sign of a "self-interested" approach. It is stated that the relationship to be established with Rodriguez will depend on adherence to U.S. interests, and otherwise, new military steps may be on the agenda.
Maria Corina Machado WILL APPEAR IN COURT TODAY Meanwhile, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, who were kidnapped by the U.S., will appear in court today at 20:00 Turkish time. The Washington administration accuses Maduro of "drug-related terrorism" and various organized crime charges. The indictment announced by the U.S. prosecution includes charges such as conspiracy to traffic drugs, possession of heavy weapons, and "destructive activities."
WHAT HAPPENED? On January 3, around 02:00 local time in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, explosions and sounds of aircraft were heard. The Venezuelan government accused the U.S. of carrying out attacks on civilian and military facilities in various regions of the country following the explosions.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that a large-scale attack was carried out against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and that Maduro and his wife were taken out of the country.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also stated that a criminal complaint had been filed against Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in the U.S., with charges against Maduro including "drug terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and possession of machine guns and destructive devices against the U.S."
The Venezuelan government has called on the international community to condemn the U.S., with some countries criticizing the attack while others have supported the U.S. with their statements.
"YOU WILL PAY A HEAVIER PRICE THAN MADURO" The Venezuelan Supreme Court (TSJ) decided that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez would assume the role of interim President of the country following Maduro's detention. Trump stated in a statement, "I will take you too; you will pay a heavier price. You can pay a heavier price than Maduro."