WASHINGTON, D.C. – US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Venezuela’s new leader Delcy Rodríguez, saying she could face consequences “bigger than Maduro” if she fails to cooperate with Washington, following a dramatic US operation that saw former president Nicolás Maduro arrested and flown to the United States.
Speaking to The Atlantic, Trump said Rodríguez — sworn in as interim president after Maduro’s capture — would “pay a very big price” if she does not “do what’s right,” as the US ramps up pressure on Caracas amid growing international backlash.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said, adding that for Venezuela, “regime change — anything you want to call it — is better than what you have right now. It can’t get any worse.”
Maduro, who has ruled Venezuela since 2013, is scheduled to appear in a New York court on Monday to face charges related to drug trafficking and weapons offences.
US authorities accuse him of running a “narco-terrorist” state — allegations he has repeatedly denied.
US strikes and arrests spark outrage
Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured in the early hours of Saturday during a US special forces operation that included air strikes on military installations in Caracas.
The couple were flown to the US and charged shortly after.
While Washington says no American troops were harmed, Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino claimed that members of Maduro’s security detail, soldiers and civilians were killed during the operation.
Cuba, a close ally of Maduro, said 32 “brave Cuban combatants” died in the attack and announced two days of national mourning.
Despite Trump’s claims of US control, Maduro’s political allies remain in key positions, and the Venezuelan military has publicly backed Rodríguez, who is expected to be sworn in as president on Monday morning in Caracas.
‘Not a war’, says US
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has sought to downplay the fallout, insisting the operation does not amount to a war against Venezuela.
“We are at war against drug trafficking organisations. That’s not a war against Venezuela,” Rubio said in multiple TV interviews on Sunday.
He described the mission as a “law enforcement operation,” claiming Maduro was arrested on the ground by FBI agents, and argued congressional authorisation was unnecessary.
“You can’t notify Congress of an operation like this because it will leak,” Rubio told ABC.
Rubio warned that Washington still holds “multiple levers of leverage” over Venezuela, including a US “quarantine” on Venezuelan oil exports.
Trump hints at broader regional action
Trump also escalated rhetoric against neighbouring Colombia, refusing to rule out military action and launching a personal attack on Colombian President Gustavo Petro.
“Colombia is very sick, run by a sick man who likes making cocaine and selling it to the United States,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “He’s not going to be doing it very long.”
Democrats cry foul
Democratic lawmakers have strongly condemned the operation, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling it “an act of war” conducted without congressional approval.
“This was not simply a narcotics operation,” Jeffries said, citing reports of thousands of troops, dozens of ships and more than 150 military aircraft being involved.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer questioned the legality of the action, warning against repeating past US regime-change failures.
“You don’t treat lawlessness with other lawlessness,” Schumer said, adding that Trump had abandoned his pledge of “no more endless wars.”
Democrats are now backing a resolution that would bar the president from taking further action in Venezuela without approval from Congress.
International concern grows
In a joint statement, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay and Spain warned that the US military intervention sets a “dangerous precedent” and threatens regional stability.
The governments called for a peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation, expressing concern over any external control of Venezuela that would violate international law.
As Maduro prepares to face US justice, all eyes now turn to Rodríguez — and how she responds to mounting pressure from Washington amid a rapidly shifting political landscape in Caracas.
