Nicolás Maduro, the former president of Venezuela, as well as his wife, were captured and brought to the U.S. by President Trump during what he referred to as a “large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader.” The pair appeared in court on January 5, 2026, and their next court date is scheduled for March 17, 2026. The reason for this kidnapping was that President Trump blamed Maduro for the invasion of hundreds of Venezuelan immigrants. And, with no evidence to back up his claim, Trump has accused Maduro of “emptying his prisons and insane asylums” and forcing the inmates to migrate to the US. 

Regarding the future of the South American country, Trump stated in an earlier press conference that, “Venezuela will be run by the U.S.” The following Sunday, Trump stated the U.S. is now in charge of Venezuela. Following Trump’s speech, Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that the U.S. does not have any plans to govern Venezuela directly, but will continue to enforce an oil quarantine.

Trump claimed that Venezuelan citizens should wait to vote for a new president, “We have to nurse the country back to health,” he reasoned. Currently, the Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, will act as President during Maduro’s absence. A nine-month time-frame was set to organize elections. In the meantime, reports from the country claim that 600 political prisoners have been released, amnesty laws are being debated by the National Assembly, and efforts are being made towards economic recovery.