Story perspectives

Venezuela's Rodríguez Shifts Stance, Cooperates with U.S.

1/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Delcy Rodríguez agreed to cooperate with the U.S. after Maduro's January 3 capture.
Sources say discussions began last fall, with Rodríguez and her brother signaling removal readiness.
Rodríguez condemned the operation initially and later described a productive call with President Donald Trump.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially doubted but later praised the cooperation.
Meanwhile, U.S. military strikes against drug-trafficking vessels tied to Venezuela produced casualties.

History

Historical Context

The Venezuelan crisis intensified in 2019 as President Nicolás Maduro faced mounting opposition, prompting the U.S. to impose sanctions targeting his regime, including the state-owned oil company PDVSA. By April 2019, over 150 entities were sanctioned, reflecting a significant shift in U.S.-Venezuelan relations that echoes Cold War-era negotiations, potentially reshaping future diplomatic strategies in Latin America.

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Story summary

Delcy Rodríguez agreed to cooperate with the U.S. after Maduro's January 3 capture.
Sources say discussions began last fall, with Rodríguez and her brother signaling removal readiness.
Rodríguez condemned the operation initially and later described a productive call with President Donald Trump.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio initially doubted but later praised the cooperation.
Meanwhile, U.S. military strikes against drug-trafficking vessels tied to Venezuela produced casualties.

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