Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodriguez extended an invitation to the United States on Sunday to work on a joint cooperation agenda, striking a markedly softer tone just days after the Trump administration's military operation captured President Nicolas Maduro.
According to NBC News, Rodriguez called for "peace and dialogue, not war". "That has always been President Nicolás Maduro’s position, and it is the position of all of Venezuela at this moment," she said.
EXCLUSIVE: In an interview with Michael Scherer, Donald Trump threatened Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, with a fate worse than Maduro’s; defended regime change in the country; and expressed renewed interest in the U.S. seizing Greenland. https://t.co/exBpMjVKuA
— The Atlantic (@TheAtlantic) January 4, 2026
The diplomatic overture came after President Trump warned Rodriguez she could face a situation "probably worse than Maduro" if she fails to cooperate.
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One Sunday that the United States is "in charge" of Venezuela and needs "total access" to the country's oil reserves and other resources to rebuild infrastructure, reported CNN.
The president said Rodriguez is "cooperating" despite her earlier denunciation of the operation as illegal.
Bloomberg noted that Rodriguez's statement represented a conciliatory shift from her initial Saturday response, when she demanded Maduro's immediate release and called the U.S. action "an atrocity that violates international law."
This is not what Secretary Noem said. President Trump is bringing stability to Venezuela and bringing to justice an illegitimate Narco Terrorist dictator who stole from his own people.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 4, 2026
Secretary Noem ended Temporary Protected Status for more than 500,000 Venezuelans and now… https://t.co/vXyyBtDKSP
Venezuela's Supreme Court named Rodriguez acting president following Maduro's capture, though the constitution requires new elections within 30 days.
Trump administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been working to develop a governance structure for Venezuela.
The US attacked Venezuela and deposed its long-serving autocratic President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said. Follow for live analysis and reaction ⬇️ https://t.co/XAkLqDczQ6
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 3, 2026
The president has downplayed opposition leader Maria Corina Machado's prospects, saying she lacks the support needed to lead despite winning the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
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