He also said that Cuba, a close ally of Venezuela, “looks like it’s ready to fall” on its own without U.S. military action. His capture by the United States has sparked deep uncertainty about what is next for the oil-rich South American nation. A supporter of ousted Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro demonstrates with a national flag in Caracas on January 4, 2026, a day after he was captured in a US strike. The Venezuelan military recognized Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's VP, as acting president Sunday. AdvertisementU.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Venezuela’s next leader should keep Venezuela’s oil industry out of the hands of U.S. adversaries and stop drug trafficking and cited an ongoing U.S. blockade on tankers.

Source: Huffington Post January 05, 2026 04:38 UTC