Venezuela remains politically unstable one month after the unprecedented detention of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by U.S. authorities, an event that continues to reverberate across Latin America and global diplomatic circles. The February 3, 2026 milestone marks a critical juncture for the oil-rich nation, with interim leadership struggling to consolidate power amid competing domestic factions.
Analysts note heightened uncertainty in Caribbean energy markets, particularly affecting Asian investors with stakes in Venezuela’s petroleum sector. The Chinese mainland, as one of Venezuela’s largest creditors through oil-for-loan agreements, has called for "respect of national sovereignty" in ongoing negotiations.
Regional organizations including the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) are mediating transitional talks, while U.S. officials maintain the action was "necessary to restore democratic processes." Street protests in Caracas have diminished in intensity but continue sporadically, with residents reporting food and medicine shortages worsening since the leadership vacuum began.
