Trump Warns Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez of “Bigger Price” After Maduro’s Ouster
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, saying she could face consequences “bigger than Nicolas Maduro” if she fails to comply with Washington’s expectations following the dramatic removal of Venezuela’s former president.
In a telephone interview with The Atlantic published on Sunday (January 4, 2026), Trump said Rodríguez would “pay a very big price” if she does not “do what’s right,” escalating tensions after U.S. forces seized Maduro and his wife from Caracas over the weekend.
Background
The warning comes amid a rapidly evolving crisis in Venezuela following the U.S.-led military operation that resulted in the capture of Maduro, who has since been indicted by American authorities on charges including narco-terrorism and cocaine conspiracy.
Trump had initially praised Rodríguez on Saturday after the operation, describing her as “gracious” during early communication with U.S. officials. However, relations quickly deteriorated after Rodríguez declared that Venezuela would defend its natural resources and sovereignty, signalling resistance to external control.
Rodríguez has since been sworn in as Venezuela’s interim leader, a move Washington has not formally recognised.
Trump’s Warning and U.S. Position
Speaking to The Atlantic as he arrived at his West Palm Beach golf course in Florida, Trump defended the use of force to remove Maduro and made it clear that the United States expects compliance from Venezuela’s new leadership.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump was quoted as saying.
The U.S. President justified the intervention by arguing that Venezuela’s situation could not worsen under American oversight. “Rebuilding there and regime change, anything you want to call it, is better than what you have right now. Can’t get any worse,” he said.
Trump also suggested that American interventionism could extend beyond Venezuela, pointing to strategic interests elsewhere. “We do need Greenland, absolutely,” he remarked, referring to the Danish territory, reinforcing his administration’s hardline stance on geopolitical priorities.
Regional and Global Implications
Trump’s remarks have raised concerns among international observers about the scope of U.S. interventionism, particularly as Venezuela’s crisis unfolds under global scrutiny. Analysts warn that threatening Venezuela’s interim leadership could intensify instability in Latin America and provoke resistance from countries aligned with Caracas, including Russia, China, and Iran, all of which have economic and strategic interests in Venezuela’s oil sector.
At the same time, Trump has framed U.S. involvement as a stabilising mission, arguing that American oversight will restore order, revive Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, and ensure accountability for years of alleged corruption and mismanagement.
What’s Next
With Delcy Rodríguez consolidating control in Caracas and Washington signalling zero tolerance for defiance, diplomatic avenues appear increasingly narrow. Any move by Rodríguez to assert control over Venezuela’s oil assets or reject U.S. oversight could trigger sanctions, asset seizures, or further military pressure, according to policy experts.
The coming days will be critical as global powers assess whether the crisis moves toward negotiation—or deeper confrontation.
Our Final Thoughts
Trump’s warning to Delcy Rodríguez underscores a decisive and confrontational phase in U.S.–Venezuela relations. By openly threatening consequences “bigger than Maduro,” the U.S. President has drawn a clear line between cooperation and confrontation. While Washington frames its actions as necessary to restore stability and rebuild Venezuela’s economy, the rhetoric risks deepening uncertainty in an already fragile region. The absence of a clear international consensus and the presence of competing global interests mean that Venezuela’s future remains highly unpredictable. Whether Rodríguez chooses compliance, negotiation, or resistance will not only shape her political survival but also determine whether the crisis moves toward reconstruction—or prolonged instability.