Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez pledged this week to secure the return of former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, following their capture by U.S. forces earlier this month. The vow comes amid escalating tensions over Washington’s recent seizure of Venezuelan oil assets, a move Rodríguez condemned as “criminal aggression” during a televised address on January 10.
U.S. Strikes and Oil Sanctions
The crisis intensified on January 3 when U.S. military operations led to Maduro’s arrest and transfer to New York, where he faces federal charges including narcotics trafficking. President Donald Trump’s subsequent executive order blocking Venezuelan oil revenues in U.S. accounts has drawn sharp rebukes from Caracas, with Foreign Minister Yván Gil calling the drug-trafficking accusations “baseless” and vowing to defend national sovereignty.
Opposition Leader’s Controversial Gesture
Venezuelan opposition figure María Corina Machado, meanwhile, sparked debate by proposing to transfer her 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Trump—a gesture rejected by the Norwegian Nobel Institute. Trump, who has long sought the accolade, praised Machado in a recent Fox News interview but questioned her domestic influence.
Regional Implications
Analysts warn the standoff could destabilize Latin America, with Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy facing further strain. Global energy markets are closely monitoring developments, as U.S. sanctions threaten to disrupt crude supplies amid rising geopolitical friction.
