US President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, following a dramatic US-led operation that resulted in the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro.
Trump cautioned that Rodríguez would “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro” if she fails to cooperate and “do what’s right,” adding that his administration would not tolerate what it views as her defiant rejection of US intervention in Venezuela.
The warning came after US forces carried out a surprise operation in the early hours of Saturday, striking military targets in Caracas before removing Maduro and his wife from the country. The former Venezuelan leader has since been transferred to New York, where he is expected to face federal narcotrafficking charges.
Despite the military action, the Trump administration has signaled a willingness to engage with remaining elements of Maduro’s government, provided Washington’s strategic objectives are met. These reportedly include opening Venezuela’s vast crude oil reserves to US investment and reshaping the country’s political and economic direction.
Trump’s remarks coincided with the confirmation of Delcy Rodríguez as interim president by Venezuela’s Supreme Court, with backing from senior military officials. However, Rodríguez struck a defiant tone following the US raid on Caracas, insisting that Maduro remains Venezuela’s only legitimate leader.
She also vowed to protect the country’s sovereignty and resources, declaring that Venezuela was prepared to defend its natural wealth against foreign interference.
The unfolding situation has heightened tensions between Washington and Caracas, raising fresh questions about Venezuela’s political future, control of its oil reserves, and the broader implications of direct US military involvement in the region.
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