LIVE UPDATES: Venezuela’s Supreme Court Orders Delcy Rodríguez to Assume Presidency
LIVE UPDATES: Venezuela’s Supreme Court Orders Delcy Rodríguez to Assume Presidency
Sputnik International
Several explosions were reported in Caracas and surrounding areas in the early hours of January 3, with residents citing loud blasts, aircraft activity and temporary power disruptions in parts of the capital. Authorities confirmed heightened security measures, while air traffic over Venezuelan airspace was restricted due to safety concerns.
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Several explosions were reported in Caracas and surrounding areas in the early hours of January 3, with residents citing loud blasts, aircraft activity and temporary power disruptions in parts of the capital. Authorities confirmed heightened security measures, while air traffic over Venezuelan airspace was restricted due to safety concerns.
The Venezuelan government, led by President Nicolás Maduro, has condemned the strikes as a military assault by the United States, accusing Washington of targeting both civilian and military sites and declaring a national state of emergency while calling on citizens to mobilize. Maduro’s administration says the attacks also affected neighboring states and has rallied international calls for condemnation, though U.S. authorities have not officially confirmed direct involvement in the overnight explosions.
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04:39 GMT 04.01.2026
Venezuela’s Supreme Court orders Delcy Rodríguez to assume presidency
The court has mandated Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to serve as acting president following the detention of Nicolás Maduro by US forces.
04:39 GMT 04.01.2026
US transfers Maduro to DEA headquarters in New York
US media state Nicolás Maduro will be moved by helicopter to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn after appearing at the DEA’s New York headquarters.
The facility is the only federal prison in New York City, also housing Ghislaine Maxwell, Luigi Mangione, and P Diddy.
16:48 GMT 03.01.2026
US Going to Run Venezuela Until Safe, Proper and Judicious Transition Can Take Place - Trump
US President Donald Trump said that the United States would run Venezuela until a "safe, proper, and judicious transition" can be carried out.
"We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition," Trump told reporters.
He said that the US is designating various people to run Venezuela.
He added that the US is not afraid to put "boots on the ground" in Venezuela if necessary.
"We are not afraid of boots on the ground that we have to have. We had boots on the ground last night at a very high level," Trump told reporters.
16:41 GMT 03.01.2026
Israel Backs US Operation in Venezuela, Hopes for 'Democratic' Transition - Saar
Israel supports the US military operation in Venezuela and hopes for future friendly relations with the South American country, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced.
"Israel commends the United States’ operation, led by President [Donald] Trump, ... Israel welcomes the removal of the 'dictator who led a network of drugs and terror' and hopes for the return of democracy to the country and for friendly relations between the states. The people of Venezuela deserve to exercise their democratic rights. South America deserves a future free from the axis of terror and drugs," Saar said on X.
Israel commends the United States’ operation, led by President Trump, which acted as the leader of the free world. At this historic moment, Israel stands alongside the freedom-loving Venezuelan people, who have suffered under Maduro’s illegal tyranny. Israel welcomes the removal…
UN Chief Says US Military Action Against Venezuela Sets 'Dangerous Precedent'
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres views the US military action against Venezuela as alarming and believes that it sets a "dangerous precedent," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.
"Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected," Dujarric said in a statement.
The UN chief is "deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela" and warns of "potential worrying implications for the region," according to the statement.
Guterres urges on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, "in full respect of human rights and the rule of law," the statement said
16:30 GMT 03.01.2026
Maduro, Wife Detained at Fort Tiuna Base During US Strike - Reports
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained at their residence inside Fort Tiuna, the country's largest military base, during a US strike, the Associated Press reported, citing Venezuelan ruling party leader Nahum Fernandez.
The couple had been at home within the complex when detained, while the facility had come under US forces strike, the report said.
16:29 GMT 03.01.2026
UN Security Council Likely to Hold Meeting on Venezuela on Early Monday - Source
The UN Security Council is likely to hold a meeting on Venezuela on Monday morning, a UN source told Sputnik.
"The meeting is likely to take place on Monday morning," the source said.
16:25 GMT 03.01.2026
UN Human Rights Office Urges US to Protect Venezuelans, Exercise Restraint
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged the United States to show restraint in its actions toward Venezuela and ensure the protection of the country's population.
"@volker_turk [UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk] alarmed by U.S. intervention in Venezuela. We urge everyone to exercise restraint and fully respect the UN Charter and international human rights law. The protection of people in Venezuela is paramount and must guide any further action," the OHCHR said in a statement.
16:20 GMT 03.01.2026
White House Preparing to Brief Congress on Venezuela Operation Next Week - Johnson
The Trump administration is preparing to inform the United States congress about the military operation in Venezuela next week, House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Saturday.
"The Trump Administration is working to schedule briefings for Members as Congress returns to Washington next week," Johnson wrote on X.
I have spoken in the last several hours with @SecRubio and @SecWar Hegseth, and the nation will hear from @POTUS in his address at 11am ET.
Today’s military action in Venezuela was a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez Currently in Caracas - Reports
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez is currently in Caracas, The New York Times reported, citing its sources.
16:17 GMT 03.01.2026
Russian Foreign Ministry Urges US to Release Maduro, His Wife
Russia strongly urges the United States to release Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, calling Maduro the legitimately elected leader of a sovereign state, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
"In connection with confirmed reports that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are in the US, we strongly urge the US leadership to reconsider this position and release the legitimately elected president of a sovereign country and his wife," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The Foreign Ministry also emphasized the need to create conditions for resolving any existing issues between Washington and Caracas through dialogue.
16:14 GMT 03.01.2026
Trump Says Maduro Was Ready to Negotiate in Run Up to US Attack
US President Donald Trump said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro stood ready to negotiate in the lead up to the US attack on the country but the US refused.
"He wanted to negotiate at the end. And I didn't want to negotiate. I said, ‘Nope, we got to do it.’ You know, he was trying to negotiate at the end," Trump told Fox News.
Trump added that Maduro was "trying hard to make a deal."
16:10 GMT 03.01.2026
French Foreign Minister Says US Operation in Venezuela Violates International Law
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the US military operation in Venezuela, calling it a violation of international law.
"The military operation that led to the capture of [Venezuelan President] Nicolas Maduro contradicts the principle of non-use of force, which lies at the core of international law. France recalls that no lasting political solution can be imposed from outside and that sovereign peoples decide their own future," Barrot wrote on X.
En confisquant le pouvoir au peuple vénézuélien, en le privant de ses libertés fondamentales, Nicolás Maduro a porté une atteinte grave à sa dignité et à son droit à l'auto-détermination. La France s'est engagée avec constance, notamment par ses actions de médiation, en faveur du…
CIA Used Inside Source, Drones to Track Maduro Before Capture - Reports
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) maintained a source within the Venezuelan government who helped track Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's movements up to the time of his reported capture, The New York Times reported, citing US officials and intelligence sources.
US intelligence also monitored Maduro using drone surveillance, and the operation to apprehend him had been in planning for several months, the report said.
16:06 GMT 03.01.2026
Lavrov, Rodriguez Commit to Strengthening Russia-Venezuela Partnership – Foreign Ministry
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed Russia's commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership with Venezuela during a call with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in the wake of US strikes on Venezuela and capture of President Nicolas Maduro.
"During the conversation, a mutual commitment to further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Venezuela was expressed," the ministry said.
Lavrov and Rodriguez also spoke in favor of preventing further escalation and finding a way out of the situation through dialogue, it added.
16:01 GMT 03.01.2026
Trump Says US Military Seized Maduro, Wife Being Transported to New York
US President Donald Trump said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife are being transported to New York after being captured by US military personnel.
"They are on a ship. They will be heading into New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter in a nice flight," Trump told Fox News.
15:51 GMT 03.01.2026
Trump Says Not Ruling Out Second Wave of Strikes on Venezuela
The United States is not ruling out a second wave of strikes against Venezuela after capturing President Nicolas Maduro, President Donald Trump said.
"And we're prepared. You know, we were prepared to do a second wave. We were all set. This was so powerful that we didn't have to but we're prepared. We're out there with an armada like nobody has ever seen before, and we're prepared," Trump told Fox News.
15:50 GMT 03.01.2026
Trump Says No US Casualties During Operation in Venezuela
US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that US forces had no casualties during the operation in Venezuela.
"And to have a few injuries, but ... No death on our side is really amazing," Trump told Fox News, adding that US forces had to wait four days to conduct the operation, awaiting better weather conditions.
The US will participate in deciding Venezuela's future after capturing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump added.
"We cannot take a chance on letting somebody else run and just take over where he [Maduro] left or left off. So we are making that decision now. We will be involved in it very much," Trump said when asked about what will happen next with the Venezuelan people.
Trump added that he intended to build good relations with Venezuela, saying that the US wants to "have a great relationship" with Venezuela.
15:48 GMT 03.01.2026
US Deployed Two Delta Force Units to Capture Maduro, Studied His Routine - Reports
The United States deployed two Delta Force units, one recently redeployed from the Middle East and another from North Africa, to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and conducted extensive surveillance of his movements, The Washington Post reported, citing a source familiar with the operation.
The report indicated that the teams had analyzed Maduro’s routine in the weeks leading up to the operation, pinpointing his whereabouts and daily routines to inform the mission planning.
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