In early 2026, the political situation in Venezuela has taken a drastic turn following a series of high-impact military and political events that occurred in the first days of the year.
1. Institutional Situation and Leadership
Capture of Nicolás Maduro: On January 3, 2026, the United States government announced the capture of Nicolás Maduro following a military operation that included bombings in Caracas. Maduro had his first court hearing in U.S. territory on January 5, 2026.
Presidency in Office: In the absence of Maduro, Delcy Rodríguez assumed the presidency of Venezuela in office to lead an "emergency meeting" following the attacks.
Status of the Mandate: Prior to these events, Maduro was preparing to begin a third presidential term (2025-2031) after the controversial elections of July 2024, whose legitimacy was widely rejected by the international community.
2. Conflict and Social Reaction
Internal Protests: Celebrations have been reported in Caracas and other cities in the country. However, there are also reports following his fall of demonstrations demanding the "proof of life" and release of Maduro.
International Tension: The attack and capture have provoked global protests, with demonstrations for and against the U.S. intervention in cities like Madrid and Rome.
3. Context of Ongoing Crisis
Humanitarian Crisis: The country continues to face severe deterioration of basic services and the economy. It is estimated that more than 9.3 million people suffer from food insecurity and the number of migrants exceeds 9 million.
Human Rights: Democratic institutions remain eroded, with active investigations by the International Criminal Court and the UN regarding repression and human rights violations.
4. International Position
U.S. Intervention: The current administration of the United States (under the presidency of Donald Trump in 2026) justified the military action as a necessary intervention.
Legitimacy: Before the capture, most Western countries (U.S., European Union, and members of the OAS) had already refused to recognize Maduro's reelection, deeming his government as lacking democratic legitimacy.