US President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez, saying she could face consequences “probably bigger than Maduro” if she fails to cooperate with Washington, as deposed President Nicolás Maduro prepared to appear in a New York court.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with US magazine The Atlantic on Sunday, a day after Maduro and his wife were captured in a US military operation in Caracas and flown to the United States. Maduro, who has been charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences, denies US accusations that he ran a “narco-terrorist” regime.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States is not at war with Venezuela, despite air strikes on military targets in the capital that preceded Maduro’s arrest. However, some Democratic lawmakers have described the operation as an “act of war”.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said of Rodríguez, who has been sworn in as interim president following a Supreme Court ruling and backing from the Venezuelan military.
Trump also suggested that “regime change” in Venezuela would be preferable, arguing the situation “can’t get any worse”. He earlier said the US would effectively oversee the country until what he described as a “safe and proper” transition takes place, and claimed American oil companies would move in to repair infrastructure and boost production.
Despite those assertions, Maduro’s allies continue to hold key positions of power. Cuba, a close ally of Caracas, said 32 Cuban officers were killed during the US operation and announced two days of national mourning.
Rubio defended the action in multiple television interviews, describing it as a law enforcement operation rather than an invasion. He said the US was targeting drug trafficking networks, not waging war against Venezuela, and warned Washington retains “multiple levers” to protect its interests, including restrictions on Venezuelan oil.
Trump also issued sharp remarks against neighbouring Colombia, saying he would not rule out military action and accusing Colombian President Gustavo Petro of ties to cocaine trafficking.
Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013, is widely accused by opponents and foreign governments of repressing dissent and illegitimately winning the 2024 election. He and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized during a pre-dawn special forces raid that also hit several military bases. They are scheduled to appear in a New York court on Monday.
Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino claimed that members of Maduro’s security detail, soldiers and civilians were killed during the US operation, though Washington has said no American troops were harmed.
Rodríguez, formerly vice president, is set to be formally sworn in as president in Caracas on Monday. While US officials say they do not recognise the Venezuelan government as legitimate, they have indicated they will judge the interim leadership by its actions.
Several Democratic leaders in the US Congress criticised the operation for being carried out without congressional approval and vowed to pursue measures to limit further action in Venezuela. A group of Latin American and European governments also warned that the US military move set a dangerous precedent and called for a peaceful, negotiated solution to the crisis.
With inputs from BBC