U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Venezuela’s incoming leader, Delcy Rodríguez, saying she could face consequences “probably bigger than Maduro” if she fails to align with Washington’s expectations, as political power shifts in Caracas.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with The Atlantic published on Sunday, as Venezuela’s deposed president, Nicolás Maduro, prepared to appear in a New York court on Monday to face U.S. charges of drug trafficking and weapons offences. The United States has accused Maduro of presiding over a “narco-terrorist” regime, allegations he has consistently denied.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said of Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s vice president.
Rodríguez, who is backed by Venezuela’s Supreme Court and the military, is scheduled to be sworn in as president on Monday at 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT) in Caracas. At her first cabinet meeting on Sunday, she struck a conciliatory tone, signalling openness to dialogue with Washington.
“We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of co-operation orientated towards shared development within the framework of international law,” Rodríguez said.
Trump’s comments came amid heightened tensions following U.S. air strikes in Caracas on Saturday, which resulted in Maduro and his wife being taken into custody and transferred to the United States. While some Democratic lawmakers described the operation as an “act of war,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted Washington was not at war with Venezuela.
In the same interview, Trump defended the U.S. approach, arguing that Venezuela needed a fundamental political shift.
“For Venezuela, regime change, anything you want to call it, is better than what you have right now. Can’t get any worse,” he said.
Trump also said the United States would oversee the country temporarily until “a safe and proper and judicious transition” could take place, adding that U.S. oil companies would enter Venezuela to repair infrastructure “and start making money for the country.”
Despite Trump’s assertions, allies of Maduro continue to hold key positions within Venezuela’s political and security structures, raising questions about how much real control Rodríguez’s new administration will wield as she assumes office.
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