U.S. claims Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez is now president after Maduro’s capture, but Venezuela denies it.

January 3, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela's president after the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the US. However, the Venezuelan government has not confirmed the transition. Rodríguez, a 56-year-old lawyer and longtime ally of Maduro, has held key positions such as vice president, finance, oil, and foreign minister. While Trump stated that she agreed to cooperate with the United States. In the process of rebuilding Venezuela, her current location remains unknown, with conflicting reports claiming she is in Russia, which Russia denies. Venezuelan officials say she is in the country and has been involved in government affairs. Although Rodríguez has requested proof of Maduro's and his wife's lives, there has been no official confirmation of a leadership transition.