Trump says US will 'run' Venezuela after Maduro ouster – DW – 01

Skip next section Maduro is Venezuela's 'only president' his deputy Delcy Rodriguez says

01/03/2026 January 3, 2026 Maduro is Venezuela's 'only president' his deputy Delcy Rodriguez says

Rodriguez has become the de facto leader of Venezuela after President Maduro was taken by US forces [FILE: August 11, 2025] Image: Juan Barreto/AFP

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Nicolas Maduro is "the only president of Venezuela."

Earlier, Donald Trump said Rodriguez had been sworn in as president.

"She's essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again, very simple," the US president added.

But in her television address, Rodriguez said Venezuela will never be the colony of any nation.

She called for the release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were captured and flown out of the country by US forces.

She also called for calm and unity to defend the country amid what she described as Maduro's "kidnapping."