The political tension surrounding Venezuela deepened after U.S. President Donald Trump issued a sharp warning to Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.
The statement followed the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro, an event that has already reshaped the country’s political landscape.
Speaking to The Atlantic on Sunday, Trump warned that Rodriguez would face serious consequences if she refuses to cooperate with U.S. involvement in Venezuela.
The remarks came amid growing uncertainty over who now truly holds power in Caracas. According to Trump, the stakes are high, and the consequences could be severe.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said.
However, only a day earlier, Trump had spoken positively about Rodriguez during a press conference following the operation that led to Maduro’s capture.
At the time, he said U.S. officials had engaged with her and claimed she was “essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.”
Moreover, Trump stated during that briefing that the United States would effectively “run” Venezuela until a democratic transition is completed.
He declined to provide a clear timeline. The statement alone raised global concern and surprise.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez pushed back strongly. She insisted that Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate leader despite his detention.
She described the U.S. intervention as “an atrocity that violates international law” and added that Venezuela was “ready to defend our natural resources.”
The evolving situation has kept Washington on edge. Trump later suggested that U.S. troops could return to Venezuela if required.
He added that rebuilding the country was “not a bad thing in Venezuela’s case,” further fueling debate over America’s long-term intentions.
In contrast, Secretary of State Marco Rubio adopted a calmer approach. He said public remarks would not guide U.S. decisions going forward.
“We’re not going to judge moving forward based simply on what’s said in press conferences,” Rubio said. “We want to see action here at the end of the day.”
Furthermore, Republican Senator Tom Cotton rejected Rodriguez’s authority outright.
He called for a U.S.-backed reconstruction of Venezuela’s government.
“We don’t recognize Delcy Rodriguez as the legitimate ruler of Venezuela,” Cotton said. He added that military control alone does not equal legitimacy.
The unfolding U.S.-Venezuela political crisis has drawn global attention. Therefore, how Rodriguez responds may shape the region’s future.
