Key Facts
• On January 3, Venezuela’s Supreme Court declared President Maduro temporarily unable to perform duties.
• Vice President Rodriguez was appointed acting president by the Supreme Court.
• Maduro is detained by the Trump administration and transferred to the U.S.
• On January 4, Trump warned Rodriguez in an interview: “If she does not do the right thing, she will pay a very big price, possibly bigger than Maduro’s.”
• Trump threatened a “second attack” on Venezuela if it does not comply with U.S. demands.
• U.S. Secretary of State Rubio denied direct U.S. governance, stating the U.S. will “manage the direction going forward.”
• Maduro faces drug trafficking conspiracy charges and is held in a New York detention center.
• Maduro is scheduled to appear in federal court on January 5 at noon local time (January 6, 2 a.m. JST).
Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, appointed acting president after the Supreme Court deemed Nicolás Maduro temporarily incapacitated. Trump demanded Rodriguez cooperate with the U.S., cautioning that failure to comply would result in severe consequences, potentially harsher than those faced by Maduro, who is currently detained in the U.S. on drug trafficking charges. Trump also threatened a second attack on Venezuela if it resists U.S. pressure. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the U.S. does not intend to directly govern Venezuela but will oversee its future direction. Maduro is expected to appear in a New York federal court on January 5 local time. This situation underscores escalating tensions between the U.S. and Venezuela amid ongoing political and legal conflicts.
