State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela

The warning came amid reports of armed militias.

ByIvan Pereira, Mary Kekatos, Jon Haworth, Kevin Shalvey, David Brennan, Meredith Deliso, and Nadine El-Bawab

Last Updated: January 11, 2026, 10:28 PM EST

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife appeared in a federal court in New York City on Monday, following their capture by U.S. forces over the weekend in a military operation in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

Following the operation, President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified "period of time."

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as interim leader to lead the country after what the Venezuelan Supreme Court described as Maduro's "kidnapping."

Key Headlines

Jan 11, 2026, 11:22 AM EST
President Trump says Cuba needs to make deal with US 'before it is too late'
Jan 11, 2026, 5:59 AM EST
Venezuela 'in absolute calm,' ministry says in reaction to US alert
Jan 10, 2026, 5:31 PM EST
State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela immediately
Jan 09, 2026, 11:13 AM EST
US State Department officials arrive in Caracas
Jan 09, 2026, 8:22 AM EST
US forces board another oil tanker linked to Venezuela

Here's how the news is developing.

Jan 05, 2026, 3:33 PM EST

Hegseth says Maduro didn't know troops were coming 'until 3 minutes before they arrived'

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described in more detail the U.S. military operation in Venezuela , saying Nicolas Maduro and his wife did not know that U.S. troops were coming "until three minutes before they arrived."

"Nicolas Maduro got to meet some great Americans wearing night vision goggles three nights ago," Hegseth said Monday in his remarks before sailors in Newport News, Virginia. "He didn't know they were coming till three minutes before they arrived. In fact, his wife said, 'I think I hear aircraft outside.'"

He went on, "They didn't know. You know why? Because every single part of that chain did their job, and they did it flawlessly, and they did it protecting operational security, and they did it with a commitment to one thing, the mission, to getting that mission accomplished."

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

Jan 05, 2026, 3:02 PM EST

Nearly 200 American forces were in Caracas for operation: Hegseth

Nearly 200 American forces were in downtown in Venezuela for the military operation involving Nicolas Maduro, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

"Seems those Russian air defenses didn't quite work so well, did they?" Hegseth said Monday in remarks before an audience of sailors and civilians in Newport News, Virginia.

Smoke rises from Port of La Guaira after explosions and low-flying aircraft were heard on Jan. 3, 2026, in Caracas, Venezuela.
Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

-ABC News Luis Martinez

Jan 05, 2026, 2:58 PM EST

Delcy Rodriguez officially sworn in as interim president of Venezuela

Delcy Rodriguez has been formally sworn in as the interim president of Venezuela, the country's foreign ministry confirmed to ABC News. Rodriguez served as Nicolas Maduro's vice president.

Rodriguez, who was sworn in at the country’s parliament building, made a short statement that did not mention Maduro.

PHOTO: Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez reacts after being sworn in as Acting President of Venezuela during the inaugural session for the 2026-2031 Legislative Constitutional Period at Palacio Federal Legislativo, January 05, 2026 in Caracas. — Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez reacts after being sworn in as Acting President of Venezuela as Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of ousted President Nicolas Maduro watches during the inaugural session for the 2026-2031 Legislative Constitutional Period at Palacio Federal Legislativo, January 05, 2026 in Caracas.
Jesus Vargas/Getty Images

"I swear on my honor that I will not rest my arm nor give peace to my soul until I see Venezuela reach its rightful destiny, on the pedestal of honor it deserves as a free and sovereign nation," she said in Spanish. "I swear to the people of Venezuela that I will not rest for a single minute until I guarantee the peace of the Republic, the spiritual tranquility of our people, and the economic and social stability of our country."

-ABC News' Aicha El Hammar Castano

Jan 05, 2026, 1:36 PM EST