State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela

The warning came amid reports of armed militias.

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."

Jan 06, 2026, 5:08 PM EST

Venezuela has shown its 'true character' after US attack, interim president says

Venezuela has demonstrated its "true character" in its response to the U.S. attack, the country's interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, said during a press conference on Tuesday.

Rodriguez said Venezuela is showing that it's a country that "refuses to surrender," is "in active resistance" and is made up of a "dignified people."

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez attends her swearing-in ceremony as Venezuela’s interim president at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, January 5, 2026.
Marcelo Garcia/Miraflores via AFP via Getty Images

"It's Venezuela that has demonstrated to the world our true character, that we've become stronger, that we've grown spiritually to confront the challenges, the attacks, the threats," Rodriguez said in Caracas on Tuesday, one day after being sworn in as the country's de facto leader.

The Saturday operation led to the capture and ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and the death of at least 50 Venezuelan and Cuban security officials, according to the countries.

A woman waves a Venezuelan flag among members of the National Bolivarian Armed Forces during a rally in support of ousted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in Caracas, January 6, 2026.
Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman

Jan 06, 2026, 4:22 PM EST

Venezuelan interior minister speaks at pro-Maduro rally

Venezuelan Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello speaks at a march by female supporters of Chavismo in Caracas, Venezuela, January 6, 2026.
Ronald Pena/EPA/Shutterstock

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello claimed there is a rising anti-American sentiment in the country after the U.S. military operation while speaking during a pro-Maduro rally in Caracas on Tuesday.

"What has risen in this country is a terrible anti-American movement for them, who murdered innocent civilians, people who had nothing to do with politics. However, the Bolivarian Revolution will go ahead," Cabello said.

Venezuelan Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello participates in a march by female supporters of Chavismo in Caracas, Venezuela, January 6, 2026.
Ronald Pena/EPA/Shutterstock
A man holds a picture of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro during a rally in support of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas, January 6, 2026.
Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images

-ABC News' Ismario Rodriguez Perez

Jan 06, 2026, 2:46 PM EST

Energy secretary to attend conference with oil executives this week: Sources

The Trump administration is working to meet with oil representatives this week to discuss Venezuela, according to two sources familiar with the talks.

It comes just days after the U.S. carried out an operation to capture Nicolas Maduro. Following that raid, President Donald Trump has insisted the U.S. oil companies will begin to reinvest in Venezuela.

Sources said Energy Secretary Christopher Wright is planning to attend a conference with top oil executives in Florida this week hosted by Goldman Sachs.

While the meeting was arranged before the operation took place, sources expect a large focus of the talks to be on Venezuelan energy.

PHOTO: Oil tankers anchored near Puerto Cabello
The Guinea-flagged oil tanker MT Bandra, which is under sanctions, is partially seen alongside another vessel at El Palito terminal, near Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, on Dec. 29, 2025.
Juan Carlos Hernandez/Reuters

Meanwhile, sources said the administration is also looking to meet with representatives from Exxon, ConocoPhillips and Chevron. It's unclear if the administration will meet with those representatives separately or together.

A senior administration official told ABC News that Wright and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be leading the effort on behalf of the president.

The White House declined to comment on any potential meetings. The Department of Energy has not yet responded to a request for comment.

In a statement, a White House spokesperson said, "All of our oil companies are ready and willing to make big investments in Venezuela that will rebuild their oil infrastructure, which was destroyed by the illegitimate Maduro regime. American oil companies will do an incredible job for the people of Venezuela and will represent the United States well."

-ABC News' Rachel Scott

Jan 06, 2026, 1:13 PM EST

Trump touts Venezuela operation, says that Maduro is a 'violent guy'

President Donald Trump continued to tout the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, talking about the complexity of the mission and the outcome of the move during remarks to Republicans at the Kennedy Center Tuesday.

"It was an amazing military feat that took place," Trump said.

The president also took the moment to criticize Venezuela's former President Nicolas Maduro, saying that he is a "violent" guy.

President Donald Trump addresses a House Republican retreat at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, January 6, 2026 in Washington.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

"They've been after this guy for years and years and years and he's a violent guy. He gets up there and he tries to imitate my dance a little bit. But he's a violent guy, and he's killed millions of people. He's tortured -- they have a torture chamber in the middle of Caracas that they are closing up. But he's tortured people," Trump said.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

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