Trump Threatens Venezuela’s Acting President

Venezuelan Acting President and Oil Minister Rodríguez emphasized that Maduro remains president. Venezuela is ready to defend its natural resources and will never become a colony of any country or a slave to any empire. (Reuters archive photo)

Trump Threatens Venezuela’s Acting President; Venezuelan Government Vows Unity in Support of Maduro

Senior Venezuelan officials stated that despite President Maduro’s arrest by the United States, the Venezuelan government remains united in its support for him. U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, issued a threat against Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, warning she would pay a “heavy price” if she “doesn’t do the right thing.”

According to reports from Reuters and AFP, Maduro is currently being held at a detention center in New York and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday, January 5, on drug-related charges. Trump ordered Maduro’s removal from Venezuela on Saturday, January 3, declaring that the U.S. would “manage” Venezuela until a “secure” transition is implemented. However, in Caracas, senior officials from Maduro’s government still maintain control.

An audio recording released by the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) features Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello saying, “The unity of revolutionary forces here is fully guaranteed. There is only one president, and his name is Nicolás Maduro Moros. Do not be misled by the enemy’s provocations.”

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino stated that the U.S. attack “cold-bloodedly” killed soldiers, civilians, and “most members of Maduro’s security detail.” Reports indicate the country has activated a state of full military readiness.

Acting President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez stressed that Maduro remains the president. In a speech following Maduro’s removal, she declared that Maduro is Venezuela’s “only president,” affirmed Venezuela’s readiness to defend its natural resources, and asserted that Venezuela will never become a colony of any nation or a slave to any empire.

On Sunday, January 4, Trump directly threatened Rodríguez, saying she would face a “heavy price”—“possibly even higher than Maduro’s”—if she “doesn’t do the right thing.” Trump made it clear he would not tolerate Rodríguez openly opposing the U.S. military operation in Venezuela.