On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that his government had appointed a high-level team to coordinate the political transition in Venezuela, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores during a U.S. military operation.
In an interview, Trump confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and security and immigration advisor Stephen Miller will be in charge of overseeing the process. He also included his vise president, JD Vance, although he acknowledged that Vance has remained in the background.
«It’s a group of everyone. “Everyone is an expert in different fields», Trump said.
Trump says he has the final say on Venezuela
When asked who will make the final decisions on U.S. policy toward Venezuela, the president was unequivocal:
«I», Trump replied, making it clear that the United States is in charge of the transition process in Venezuela.
The president reiterated that his administration will not call elections in the South American country in the short term.
«First, we have to fix the country. Elections cannot be held. It’s impossible for people to vote», he declared.
Stephen Miller could assume a key role in Venezuela
According to The Washington Post, the White House is considering giving Stephen Miller, architect of Trump’s anti-immigration policy, a more prominent role in managing the Venezuelan case, which would further strengthen his influence within the designated team.
For his part, Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the transition will be guided by a public policy and national security approach, involving the entire U.S. government apparatus.
Trump warns Delcy Rodríguez after she assumes the role of interim president
After Maduro’s capture, Delcy Rodríguez, who had been the executive vise president until then, was sworn in as interim president of Venezuela, becoming the first woman to head the country’s executive branch.
During his swearing-in, Rodríguez described the U.S. operation as an “illegitimate military aggression” and asserted that Maduro and Cilia Flores are “hostages” in the United States.
«I will not rest for a single minute to guaranty peace», he said during the event broadcast by Venezolana de Televisión (VTV).
Read more: NFL Playoffs 2026: schedule, games, and Wild Card Round matchups
Trump says Rodríguez “is cooperating” with the United States
In contrast to his previous remarks, Trump expressed satisfaction with Delcy Rodríguez’s initial attitude.
«I have the feeling they’re cooperating. They need help. I have the feeling that he loves his country and wants it to survive», the president said.
However, Trump warned that if Rodríguez “doesn’t do the right thing,” he will face a fate worse than Maduro’s.
The United States demands full access to Venezuela’s natural resources
On Sunday, Trump revealed that his administration demands full access to Venezuela’s natural resources, including hydrocarbons, and confirmed that it is considering reopening the U.S. embassy in Caracas.
Rodríguez, for his part, announced the creation of a commission—chaired by his brother Jorge Rodríguez—to oversee the release of Maduro and Flores, as well as to propose a bilateral cooperation agenda to Washington.
Maduro faces serious charges in the United States
Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores appeared before a federal court in New York on Monday, where they pled not guilty. The former Venezuelan president faces four federal charges, including:
- Drug-related terrorism conspiracy
- Cocaine import
- Possession of weapons of war
- Collaboration with organizations considered terrorist by Washington
Trump denies war with Venezuela, but insists on combating drug trafficking
The U.S. president underscored that the United States is not at war with Venezuela, but with drug trafficking and criminal organizations.
«We are at war with those who traffic drugs and with those who flood our country», he said.
He also denied that there was any assistance from Maduro’s inner circle during the military operation and asserted that there was no prior communication with the Venezuelan government.
