• Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as interim president of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
• US President Donald Trump warned Rodriguez could "pay a very big price" if she doesn't comply with US demands.
• Rodriguez initially condemned US military actions but later called for a "balanced and respectful" relationship.
• The Venezuelan Supreme Court appointed Rodriguez and stated an election may not be required for a "temporary" vacancy.
• Supporters rallied for Maduro and his wife, who face federal charges in the US.

Delcy Rodriguez has been formally sworn in as Venezuela's interim president on January 5, 2026, just two days after US forces captured her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, during a military operation in Caracas. Rodriguez, previously serving as Maduro's vice president and oil minister, emphasized her commitment to the Venezuelan people, stating, "I swear to work tirelessly to guarantee the peace, spiritual, economic and social tranquility of our people," during her oath-taking ceremony before the National Assembly, supported by lawmakers loyal to her party, indicating a united front amid the dramatic political shift, according to Channel News Asia, CBS News, and Al Jazeera.

Following Maduro's capture, Rodriguez expressed her sorrow for the "kidnapping" of the Venezuelan leader and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face drug trafficking charges in a New York court. Venezuela's National Assembly condemned the military operation, stating that such actions threaten global stability and called for the immediate return of Maduro and his wife, underlining the government's stance against what they term foreign aggression, as reported by India Times, BBC, and South China Morning Post.

Initially, Rodriguez adopted a defiant stance against US intervention but quickly shifted to a more conciliatory tone, inviting the US government to engage in dialogue and extend cooperation aimed towards mutual development. She emphasized the need for "respectful relations," indicating a potential willingness to collaborate while also complying with expectations laid out by the Trump administration, which has not recognized her or her government as legitimate, as stated by Anadolu Agency, Le Monde, and NPR.

In her inaugural speech, Rodriguez vowed to address the suffering of Venezuelans and hailed the military's support for her government after Maduro's removal. The political crisis has deepened as Venezuela's Supreme Court ruled that Rodriguez could serve as interim president for a maximum of 90 days without necessitating an election, leading some analysts to speculate about the possibility of her extending her term amidst governmental restructuring, according to Channel News Asia, CBS News, and South China Morning Post.

As the political situation unfolds, Maduro has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in a US court and insists he remains the legitimate president, with his supporters continuing to rally around his cause while also expressing concerns over the Venezuelan military's alignment with Rodriguez. Meanwhile, US President Trump has made it clear that Washington plans to have a major influence over Venezuela's future governance and economic reforms, particularly in relation to its oil resources, a notion that has been met with both scrutiny and support within Venezuelan politics, per Anadolu Agency, India Times, and Al Jazeera.