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 07, 2026, 10:45 AM EST

UK supported US in seizure of vessel headed to Russia

The United Kingdom provided the U.S. with enabling support to interdict the Bella 1 -- at the request of the U.S., according to the United Kingdom.

"UK Armed Forces provided pre-planned operational support, including basing, to U.S. military assets interdicting the Bella 1 in the UK-Iceland-Greenland gap following a U.S. request for assistance. RFA Tideforce provided support for U.S. forces pursuing and interdicting the Bella 1, while the RAF provided surveillance support from the air," the U.K. said in a statement.

This handout photograph released by the Russian state media RT on January 7, 2026 allegedly shows a view from the Russian tanker Marinera being pursued by a US helicopter at an undisclosed location in the North Atlantic.
RT via Ruptly/AFP via Getty Images

The vessel is part of the "Russian-Iranian axis of sanctions evasion," U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said in a statement.

"Today our UK Armed Forces showed skill and professionalism in support of a successful U.S. interception of the vessel Bella 1 while on its way to Russia. This action formed part of global efforts to crack down on sanctions busting," Healey said.

"The U.S. is the UK’s closest defence and security partner. The depth of our defence relationship with the U.S. is an essential part of our security, and today’s seamlessly executed operation shows just how well this works in practice," Healey said.

Jan 07, 2026, 10:31 AM EST

Russian officials condemn US seizure of tanker

The Russian Ministry of Transport issued a statement Wednesday condemning the seizure of the oil tanker in the North Atlantic.

"U.S. naval forces boarded the vessel in international waters outside the territorial waters of any state, and contact with the vessel was lost," the ministry said.

U.S. European Command has confirmed in a post on X, the seizure of the oil tanker Marinera, formally known as the M/V Bella 1 in the North Atlantic, Jan. 7, 2026.
U.S. European Command/X

"No state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states," they added.

The ministry claimed the vessel received "temporary permission to sail under the Russian flag, issued on the basis of Russian legislation and international law," on Dec. 24.

-ABC News' Anna Sergeeva and Othon Leyva

Jan 07, 2026, 10:00 AM EST

US intends to control Venezuela’s oil sales indefinitely, some sanctions lifted: Sources

The Trump administration intends to oversee the sale of Venezuela's oil indefinitely and some sanctions against Venezuela will be lifted, two sources familiar with the plan told ABC News.

The president announced last night that Venezuela will turn over 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil. This is just the first tranche, sources told ABC News.

President Donald Trump speaks during the House Republican Party member retreat at the Kennedy Center in Washington, January 6, 2026.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

Some sanctions against Venezuela will be rolled back to allow for the transport and sale of the oil on global markets, two sources said. Those sources said proceeds from the oil sales will settle in accounts controlled by the United States.

The White House declined to comment but did not dispute the reporting. CNBC was first to report.

-ABC News' Rachel Scott

Jan 07, 2026, 9:43 AM EST

US seizes 2nd vessel this morning

U.S. Southern Command said in an X post Wednesday that another vessel was seized in the morning in international waters in the Caribbean.

"The interdicted vessel, M/T Sophia, was operating in international waters and conducting illicit activities in the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. Coast Guard is escorting M/T Sophia to the U.S. for final disposition," it said in the post, which included a video of the vessel.