President Donald Trump has delivered a stark message to the remaining centers of power within Venezuela following the dramatic apprehension of longtime ruler Nicolás Maduro. According to officials close to the White House, the warning leaves little room for ambiguity: cooperate with U.S. authorities or face the consequences.
Just before dawn on January 3, U.S. military forces carried out what American officials described as a tightly controlled and time-limited operation inside Venezuelan territory. Precision strikes reportedly disabled strategic military and security installations near Caracas, while U.S. special operations teams moved quickly on a location believed to be sheltering Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Both were taken into custody and removed from the country within hours. They were later transported to New York, where Maduro is expected to be prosecuted on charges tied to drug trafficking and narco-terrorism.
Later that day, President Trump publicly acknowledged the operation, characterizing it as the result of years of sustained pressure against a government he has repeatedly accused of corruption, repression, and ties to international criminal organizations. He argued that the action was necessary to safeguard U.S. security interests and to open the door for political renewal in Venezuela after decades of socialist leadership.
Over the weekend, Trump sharpened his rhetoric. Speaking through Fox News senior correspondent Benjamin Hall, the president was said to have warned Maduro’s remaining supporters that they must either surrender or actively cooperate with U.S. efforts. Hall reported that Trump disclosed a direct conversation with Maduro shortly before the strike, during which the president demanded Maduro step down voluntarily—an offer Maduro reportedly rejected.
Despite Maduro’s capture, several high-ranking figures within Venezuela’s power structure remain aligned with the former leader. U.S. officials view their continued influence as a significant obstacle to stabilizing the country.
Trump has also signaled a far-reaching U.S. role in Venezuela’s near-term future. He announced plans for temporary American oversight during a transitional period, a proposal that has drawn intense reactions across the political spectrum. Members of his administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are expected to be heavily involved in managing diplomatic and political efforts during this phase.
In addition, the president has suggested reviving Venezuela’s oil sector, arguing that restoring production could help calm global energy markets while providing a foundation for the country’s economic recovery.
Within Venezuela, the fallout has been turbulent. Allies of Maduro condemned the operation as an unlawful abduction and an assault on national sovereignty. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez insisted that Maduro remains the legitimate head of state, even as government institutions struggled to respond to the sudden leadership void.
From the White House perspective, however, the strategy is clear. By issuing a direct ultimatum to those still loyal to Maduro, President Trump is signaling that the United States intends to move decisively forward, rather than allow remnants of the former regime to regain control.
