Trump warns Venezuela’s Interim President Delcy Rodríguez

US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Venezuela’s newly sworn-in interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, saying she could face a “bigger price than Maduro” if she fails to act correctly.

He made the remarks in an interview with The Atlantic magazine on Sunday (January 4).

Rodríguez officially assumed the interim presidency on Sunday night with the backing of Venezuela’s Supreme Court and military. Following her first cabinet meeting, she expressed willingness to cooperate with the United States.

Trump cautioned, “If she does not do the right thing, a much bigger price will have to be paid, possibly even more than Maduro faced.”

The warning comes after US forces reportedly conducted a midnight operation to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, bringing them to the United States—a move that sparked domestic and international criticism of Trump.

The US administration defended the operation, citing counter-narcotics, anti-terrorism, and arms control objectives.

The incident has drawn condemnation from China, Russia, and several other countries. Cuba and a few other nations have even indicated readiness to support Venezuela militarily.