On January 3, 2025, the Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela's Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president following the detention of Nicolás Maduro during a U.S. military operation. The court emphasized the need for administrative continuity and the defense of national sovereignty in Maduro's absence. Rodríguez has publicly rejected claims from U.S. President Donald Trump that she agreed to U.S. control over Venezuela's political and oil infrastructure, asserting that Maduro remains the legitimate president.

The U.S. military operation aimed at capturing Maduro has drawn significant backlash, with various activist organizations in the U.S. condemning the action as an illegal intervention. Protests erupted across multiple cities, organized by groups identifying as Marxist, socialist, and communist, framing the military action as a manifestation of U.S. imperialism. Prominent politicians, including members of the Democratic Socialists of America, criticized the operation, labeling it illegal and indicative of a broader agenda driven by corporate interests.

In response to the U.S. actions, Rodríguez delivered a televised address condemning the military intervention as barbaric and reaffirming Venezuela's determination to resist foreign domination. She called for the release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, while key Venezuelan officials expressed defiance against the U.S. operation, emphasizing national sovereignty.

The U.S. government has indicated plans for American oil companies to invest in Venezuela's oil infrastructure, which has significantly declined due to sanctions and mismanagement. Trump suggested that U.S. military presence might be necessary to secure oil extraction operations, proposing that the U.S. would receive a share of the oil revenue as compensation for damages incurred by Venezuela. Critics argue that such plans reflect a militaristic approach to foreign policy that prioritizes corporate interests over humanitarian concerns.

Amidst these developments, a bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Senate is working on a resolution to prevent military action against Venezuela, raising questions about the implications for U.S. foreign policy and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. The resolution has sparked debate regarding its potential impact on efforts to address drug trafficking originating from Venezuela, with some arguing it could undermine leverage gained from Maduro's capture.

The situation remains fluid, with uncertainty surrounding the future of Venezuelan leadership and the role of the opposition. The Venezuelan constitution mandates a new election if the president is absent, but the applicability of this rule in the current context is unclear. Rodríguez's actions suggest a complex political landscape, as she navigates both domestic pressures and international scrutiny following the U.S. intervention.