Washington clarifies stance following Maduro’s capture
The United States government has officially denied being at war with Venezuela, despite the recent high-profile military operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified on Sunday, January 4, 2026, that the actions taken were a “limited law enforcement operation” rather than a formal declaration of war. He emphasized that the USA is currently enforcing a sweeping “oil quarantine” designed to curb drug trafficking and remove foreign threats to regional security.
In a series of televised interviews, Rubio explained that the “quarantine” allows American authorities to seize sanctioned vessels entering or leaving Venezuelan waters. This strategy is intended to apply “crippling leverage” to force a transition of power without a full-scale military occupation. The Secretary of State maintained that Washington is not looking to govern Venezuela day-to-day but is instead shaping outcomes through strategic economic pressure.
The use of the term “quarantine” is a deliberate choice echoing the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, intended to avoid the legal implications of a “blockade,” which is considered an act of war. Reports from Vanguard Nigeria indicate that over 15,000 U.S. troops, including an aircraft carrier and several warships, are currently stationed in the Caribbean. This massive presence is focused on interdicting oil shipments that the White House claims fund criminal activities and the “narco-terrorism” of the previous regime.
Interim leader Delcy Rodriguez shifts to conciliatory tone
In a surprising turn of events, Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has shifted away from her initial defiant rhetoric toward a more conciliatory stance. Following her swearing-in by the Supreme Court on Saturday, Rodriguez invited the United States to “collaborate” on a shared developmental agenda. This change in tone suggests a willingness to negotiate the terms of a transition, even as she previously labeled Maduro’s capture a “kidnapping.”
President Donald Trump, speaking from Air Force One, noted the shift in the acting president’s attitude and reiterated his claim that the USA is “in charge” of the situation. He suggested that the transition would be “fixed” quickly with the help of American expertise and the reintegration of U.S. oil companies into the local economy. Trump argued that this intervention would ultimately benefit the Venezuelan people by restoring liberty and economic stability.
However, the internal situation in Caracas remains tense, with some state institutions still functional while the U.S. military maintains control over key strategic assets. The United Nations has scheduled an emergency session for Monday to discuss the legality of the strikes and the subsequent “quarantine.” Critics within the international community continue to argue that the unilateral removal of a head of state violates the core principles of the UN Charter.
Security concerns drive the “Absolute Resolve” strategy
The Trump administration has justified its aggressive posture by citing urgent security concerns, including the alleged presence of Hezbollah and Iranian operatives in Venezuela. U.S. intelligence reports claim that the country had become a hub for global drug trafficking and that the Tren de Aragua prison gang was being used to “terrorize” American communities. The “Operation Absolute Resolve” was framed as a necessary measure to dismantle these networks at their source.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stated that the military’s role is to ensure that no “bad actors” fill the vacuum left by the removal of the Maduro administration. He noted that the U.S. will maintain its “oil quarantine” as long as it takes to ensure a secure and transparent transition to a democratic government. The administration believes that by controlling the oil flow, they can prevent the financing of insurgent groups that might seek to destabilize the region.
The energy market has responded with cautious volatility, as investors weigh the potential for increased Venezuelan output against the risks of prolonged civil unrest. While U.S. officials have promised that the operation “won’t cost Americans anything” due to future oil revenues, the immediate costs of the military deployment are significant. The USA has vowed to stay the course until a “safe, proper, and judicious” transition is completed.
