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."
Mexico has not increased oil shipments to Cuba amid Venezuela situation, president says
Mexico continues to send oil shipments to Cuba but has not increased the amount of oil going to the island nation, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday.
"No more oil is being sent than what has historically been sent. There isn't any special shipment. For many years, oil has been sent to Cuba for different reasons—some are contracts, others are humanitarian aid," Sheinbaum said at a press conference Wednesday, according to Reuters.
-ABC News' Anne Laurent
Jan 07, 2026, 10:57 AM EST
Venezuelan interim president declares 'no one else' is in control of country
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the Venezuelan government is in control, “no one else,” during a press conference Tuesday.
"There is no external agent governing Venezuela. It is Venezuela," she said in Spanish in the speech that was broadcast on state TV.
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
"Venezuela does not surrender. Venezuela is in active resistance. Venezuelans are a noble people, a peaceful people seeking their own path. Venezuela has shown the world what we are made of, that we have grown in strength, that we have grown spiritually to face challenges, aggression, and threats," she added.
"Personally, they threaten me, I say it, my destiny is not decided by them, it is decided only by God. That is my answer," Rodriguez said.
-ABC News' Ellie Kaufman
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.
