Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro Detained by US Sparks Political Crisis

On 3 January 2026 the United States seized Venezuela’s elected president, Nicolás Maduro, and First Lady Cilia Flores, an act described by Venezuelan officials as an illegal invasion. The U.S. has kept sanctions in place, which the Venezuelan side estimates have caused over 100,000 excess deaths, and has intensified a psychological‑war campaign aimed at dividing supporters of the Bolivarian Revolution.

Nicaragua’s Sandinista coalition publicly reaffirmed its support for Venezuela’s revolution and condemned U.S. aggression. In Caracas, acting president Delcy Rodríguez has preserved the Chavista regime’s hold on power while navigating a new relationship with Washington. The U.S. has softened anti‑imperialist rhetoric, opened joint operations against the Tren de Aragua gang, and praised Rodríguez’s leadership. Recent legislative changes to the Hydrocarbons Law have increased state royalties, paving the way for greater U.S. and international oil investment.

Despite a modest political opening that released some opposition figures, more than 400 political prisoners remain detained. The United Nations and the International Criminal Court continue investigations into possible crimes against humanity, while the United States frames its involvement as a three‑phase plan to stabilize, recover, and eventually transition Venezuela toward democracy.