Venezuela's president Rodriguez doubles down on condemnation of US seizing Madura

Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez blasted the U.S. military operation that led to Nicolás Maduro’s capture as “criminal aggression” and called for unity and resistance among Venezuelans in a show of defiance against foreign intervention.

Reuters

January 11, 2026

Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez attends a community event in Petare, Caracas, Venezuela, January 10, 2026.

Miraflores Palace/Reuters

Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, on Saturday (January) denounced once again what she called "criminal aggression" against the country by the U.S. on January 3, while calling for unity among Venezuelans during a government event.

Rodriguez made her comments during a tour in the Miranda state, while addressing a crowd of supporters who chanted "Delcy, go on, because you have my trust."

"Venezuelans to reject the vile and criminal attack of January 3 and to condemn that our head of state, President Nicolas Maduro, has been kidnapped," said Rodriguez.

The U.S. attack on Venezuela on January 3 led to the stunning capture of Maduro, his arraignment in a New York court on narcoterrorism charges and the swearing-in of vice president Rodriguez as interim president.

The U.S. also announced it would refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela, capping a week of political turmoil in Caracas.

-Reuters

Rodriguez made her comments during a tour in the Miranda state, while addressing a crowd of supporters who chanted "Delcy, go on, because you have my trust."

"Venezuelans to reject the vile and criminal attack of January 3 and to condemn that our head of state, President Nicolas Maduro, has been kidnapped," said Rodriguez.

The U.S. also announced it would refine and sell up to 50 million barrels of crude oil from Venezuela, capping a week of political turmoil in Caracas.

-Reuters