The Pathfinder
Monday January 5, 2026
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United States President, Donald Trump, has warned Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, of severe consequences if she refuses to cooperate with the United States, following the capture of her former boss, Nicolás Maduro by US forces.
Trump issued the threat on Sunday, saying Rodriguez would face a “very big price” if she failed to align with Washington’s demands after Maduro was seized and taken to the United States to face federal narcotrafficking charges.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump told The Atlantic in a brief telephone interview.
US forces had earlier launched an operation in Caracas in the early hours of Saturday, striking military targets and removing Maduro and his wife from the country.
The Trump administration has said it is prepared to engage with the remaining members of Maduro’s government, provided US objectives are met, including granting access to American investment in Venezuela’s vast crude oil reserves.
Trump’s warning came shortly after Rodriguez was confirmed as interim president by Venezuela’s Supreme Court and senior military officials.
Rodriguez adopted a defiant tone after the US operation, insisting that Maduro remained Venezuela’s only legitimate leader and declaring that “we’re ready to defend our natural resources”.
Trump, who has repeatedly opposed US-led nation-building and regime change abroad, appeared to take a different stance on Venezuela, stating that the United States would “run” the country.
He told The Atlantic that “rebuilding there and regime change — anything you want to call it — is better than what you have right now”.
“Rebuilding is not a bad thing in Venezuela’s case. The country’s gone to hell. It’s a failed country. It’s a totally failed country. It’s a country that’s a disaster in every way,” he said.
The Republican also renewed his call for Greenland, an autonomous territory under Denmark, to become part of the United States.
When asked what the US military action in Venezuela signalled for Greenland, Trump said, “They are going to have to view it themselves. I really don’t know.
“But we do need Greenland, absolutely. We need it for defence.”
(AFP)
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