In a recent interview with The Atlantic magazine, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a direct threat to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, suggesting she could face more severe consequences than ousted leader Nicolás Maduro if she fails to align with U.S. interests. The statement, made on January 4, 2026, represents a significant escalation in the ongoing political confrontation between the United States and Venezuela’s leadership.
The remarks follow reports of a U.S. military operation that reportedly resulted in the elimination of much of Maduro’s security team and claims that the Venezuelan president had been captured and transported out of the country. Trump’s specific targeting of Rodríguez, who serves as Venezuela’s first female vice president and a key figure in Maduro’s government, indicates a strategic shift in U.S. pressure tactics toward Venezuelan officials.
This development occurs within the broader context of heightened tensions between the two nations, with the U.S. expressing intentions to manage Venezuela’s oil reserves during a transitional period following Maduro’s alleged capture. The explicit nature of Trump’s warning underscores the increasingly direct approach being employed by U.S. officials in dealing with the Venezuelan government, moving beyond diplomatic channels to overt threats against specific individuals in leadership positions.