In a dramatic pivot following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has extended an olive branch to Washington. On January 4, 2026, Rodríguez proposed a new “agenda of cooperation” with the United States, shifting away from her initial condemnation of the U.S. military operation.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Escalation and the “Price of Defiance”
The offer comes as President Donald Trump maintains a hardline stance. Following the January 3rd strike on Ft. Tiuna—which resulted in the extraction of Maduro and Cilia Flores—Trump issued a stark warning to the new leadership in Caracas:
- The Threat: Trump stated he is prepared to authorize a “second strike” if the interim government resists U.S. demands.
- The Warning: He cautioned Rodríguez that she could face a “bigger price than Maduro” if she does not grant the U.S. “total access” to the country.
- The Stance: The U.S. President asserted that the United States is effectively “in charge” of the situation during this transition.
The Interim Government’s Strategy
Facing the threat of further military action, Rodríguez has softened her rhetoric. Her proposed framework for the U.S.-Venezuela relationship now focuses on:
- Economic Collaboration: Inviting the U.S. to participate in shared development projects.
- Regional Peace: Calling for dialogue over conflict to ensure stability in South America.
- Sovereign Equality: Insisting on a relationship based on international law, even while under intense U.S. pressure.
U.S. Priorities: Oil and Security
The Trump administration, supported by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has laid out a non-negotiable set of objectives for the “quarantine” of Venezuela:
| Objective | Target Outcome |
| Energy Sector | Immediate access for U.S. firms to stabilize and manage oil infrastructure. |
| National Security | Total dismantling of narco-terrorism networks previously linked to the Maduro regime. |
| Governance | Significant structural changes to the Venezuelan state before U.S. military presence scales back. |
Current Status
While Nicolás Maduro awaits trial in New York on federal charges, the world’s attention remains on Caracas. The U.S. military remains on high alert, and the “quarantine” continues as the interim government decides how much control they are willing to cede in exchange for peace.
