Trump threatens Venezuela’s interim leader after Maduro raid

January 05, 2026 / 12:25 AM

Sharjah 24 – AFP: President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened that Venezuela’s new interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, would face a “big price” if she does not cooperate with the United States, following the capture of her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro.

“If she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump told The Atlantic in a phone interview.

Rodriguez vows defiance

In her first public comments since the attack, Rodriguez called Maduro Venezuela’s “sole legitimate leader” and stated, “We’re ready to defend our natural resources.”

Maduro detained in New York

Maduro was held in a New York detention centre ahead of his court hearing. Videos posted by the White House show him handcuffed, in sandals, and escorted through a federal DEA facility. Earlier, he had been photographed on a US naval ship blindfolded and wearing noise-canceling ear protectors.

International reactions

Exiled Venezuelans celebrated Maduro’s capture in cities from Madrid to Santiago. Meanwhile, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain issued a joint statement rejecting the US operation and expressing concern over potential control of Venezuela’s resources.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to meet Monday to discuss the crisis.