Venezuela swears in Delcy Rodríguez as interim President after U.S. seizes Nicolás Maduro

Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim President of Venezuela on Monday, January 5, 2026, two days after U.S. military forces detained President Nicolás Maduro...

Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim President of Venezuela on Monday, January 5, 2026, two days after U.S. military forces detained President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and flew them to New York to face drug trafficking charges. The oath was administered in a special session of the National Assembly.

In her address, Rodríguez said she assumed office “in the name of all Venezuelans.” She also expressed anguish over what she called the detention of national leaders in the United States, referring to Maduro and Flores.

How the transfer of power happened

On Saturday, January 3, U.S. forces launched operations in Caracas and took Maduro and Flores into custody under orders from President Donald Trump.
The same day, Venezuela’s Supreme Court directed Delcy Rodríguez to assume the presidency in an acting capacity.
On Sunday, January 4, the armed forces publicly backed the court’s order.
On Monday, January 5, the National Assembly completed the process by administering the oath.

Parliament rallies behind the interim leader

During the session, lawmakers denounced the U.S. action while pledging loyalty to Rodríguez, who had served as Vice-President. The Assembly also reelected her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, as Speaker, consolidating family control over both the executive and legislative branches.

Chants of “Let’s go Nico!” echoed in the chamber, a slogan tied to Maduro’s 2024 campaign, an election that the opposition and multiple foreign governments, including Washington, had described as fraudulent.

Senior legislator Fernando Soto Rojas accused the United States of overreach, saying President Trump was acting as “prosecutor, judge and policeman of the world.” He vowed political and diplomatic efforts to secure Maduro’s return to Miraflores, the presidential palace.

Family, party and the balance of power

Jorge Rodríguez told lawmakers he would pursue “all procedures, all platforms, and all avenues” to bring back Nicolás Maduro.
Nicolás Maduro Guerra, the detained president’s son and a lawmaker, publicly pledged support to Delcy Rodríguez, saying the country was “in good hands” until his parents’ return.

Venezuela’s current legislature was elected in May 2025 in polls boycotted by much of the opposition, leaving 256 of 286 seats with the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) and its allies.

Washington, cooperation and a warning

Although Delcy Rodríguez had earlier maintained that Maduro remains Venezuela’s “only” President, she later signaled willingness to cooperate with Washington. U.S. officials have said they would engage with Venezuela’s leadership if it complies with American demands.

At the same time, President Trump issued a stark caution, warning that Rodríguez could face consequences worse than Maduro’s if she does not meet U.S. conditions on policy reforms and oil access.

Why this matters right now

Governance: The country is now led by an acting president with backing from the courts, military and a pro-government parliament, but legitimacy is contested internationally.
Security: The unprecedented U.S. operation in Caracas has heightened regional tensions and raised the risk of retaliatory measures.
Economy and energy: Signals of potential cooperation on oil policy could affect sanctions, production and global markets, but threats from Washington inject volatility.
International relations: The episode tests sovereignty norms, with allies and rivals watching how Caracas and Washington recalibrate ties.

Key decisions and actions

Supreme Court order appointing Delcy Rodríguez as acting President
Military endorsement of the interim leadership
National Assembly oath on January 5, 2026
U.S. warning tying cooperation to policy reforms and oil access

What to watch next

Whether Caracas announces formal negotiations with Washington on sanctions and energy.
Any international recognition or rejection of Delcy Rodríguez’s interim presidency.
Developments in New York court proceedings involving Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores.