Maduro Detained, Power Held by Close Allies in Venezuela; US Role Remains Unclear

The United States on Saturday detained Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in an operation inside Venezuela and took them to New York, triggering a rapid but tightly controlled political transition in Caracas.Shortly after the arrest, Venezuela’s judiciary issued an order appointing Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. Rodríguez, a long-time confidante of Maduro, enjoys the backing of the country’s courts and key political institutions.In a televised address on Saturday, Rodríguez demanded Maduro’s release, insisting that he remains Venezuela’s “only legitimate president,” underscoring the continuity of power within Maduro’s inner circle despite his detention.US President Donald Trump said Venezuela would be administered by the United States until a “safe and proper transfer of power” is ensured. In practice, however, Venezuela’s power structure remains firmly in the hands of Maduro’s closest allies, even as he remains in custody.Trump did not clarify how Washington plans to govern Venezuela or who ...

• 05 Jan 2026