Currently, three different entities or individuals are claiming authority over Venezuela:

• The United States: President Trump has stated the U.S. will “run” the country temporarily. He suggested a governing group including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth would oversee a transition and secure the nation’s oil infrastructure.
• Delcy Rodríguez (Interim President): Late on Saturday, Venezuela’s Supreme Court ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the presidency in an acting capacity. While Trump claimed she was “sworn in” and “willing to cooperate,” Rodríguez herself appeared on state TV to denounce the U.S. and demand Maduro’s release.
• The Opposition: Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado has called for her ally, Edmundo González, to be recognized as the rightful commander-in-chief, though Trump has publicly dismissed Machado’s ability to lead.

Trump’s “Gracious” Contact vs. Regime Defiance

A major point of confusion is the nature of the communication between the U.S. and Maduro’s inner circle.

• The U.S. Narrative: Trump claimed that Marco Rubio had a long, “gracious” conversation with Delcy Rodríguez. According to Trump, she signaled a willingness to “do whatever you need” to stabilize the country.
• The Regime Narrative: On state television, Rodríguez showed no signs of surrender. Flanked by military hardliners like Vladimir Padrino López and Diosdado Cabello, she called the U.S. operation an “atrocity” and a “kidnapping,” insisting that Nicolás Maduro remains the only legitimate president.

The Role of the Military

While the U.S. claims to be in control, the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) remain a wild card.

• Defense Minister Padrino López has ordered a “massive deployment” to defend sovereignty.
• Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello appeared in tactical gear, urging supporters to take to the streets and calling the U.S. “rats.”
• There are currently no reports of the Venezuelan military surrendering or standing down, despite Trump’s claims that their capabilities were “rendered powerless.”

Key Figures and Their Current Status (as of Jan 4, 2026)

Tax Assistant

Suresh holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree and is a dedicated personal finance researcher and writer. Combining his advanced academic background in commerce with deep industry research, he covers complex topics like taxation, banking systems, credit analysis, and personal finance strategies. As the founder of Tax Assistant (taxassistant.org), Suresh is committed to translating complicated financial guidelines and economic data into simple, accurate, and actionable educational resources for everyday readers.