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In a Jan. 4 phone interview, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodríguez that defying Washington’s demands could bring consequences “even harsher than Nicolás Maduro’s,” signaling a hardening U.S. stance days after a reported operation in Caracas.

This was reported by the Infohub.kz news agency.

What Trump said

Speaking to The Atlantic on Sunday, January 4, 2026, Trump said Rodríguez could “pay a very high price, even higher than Maduro,” if she rejects cooperation with the United States. He indicated a tougher approach to Venezuela’s political transition and reconstruction, adding that the current situation “cannot continue.”

Trump also invoked the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, underscoring longstanding U.S. opposition to outside power interference in the Western Hemisphere.

Context: operation and fallout

On Saturday, January 3, 2026, reports indicated the United States carried out an operation in Venezuela that led to the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas. The following day, January 4, Maduro was transferred to a detention facility in Brooklyn, New York.

The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting for Monday, January 5, to address the Venezuela crisis, reflecting the issue’s rapid elevation on the international agenda.

What’s next

Trump’s warning raises the stakes for Rodríguez and could reshape the balance of power in Caracas as interim authorities weigh next steps. While Washington’s specific conditions were not detailed publicly, the statements point to intensified U.S. pressure and potential consequences if its demands are not met.