As of January 5, 2026, Venezuela is facing one of the most serious political and diplomatic crises in its recent history. Authorities in Caracas state that President Nicolás Maduro was abducted during an operation carried out by the United States on Venezuelan territory. The government describes this act as a direct and illegal intervention, marking an unprecedented break in relations that were already highly strained between the two countries.
In an official statement, the Venezuelan government strongly condemned what it called a foreign aggression and a serious attack on the constitutional order. According to Caracas, the abduction of the head of state represents a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law. Authorities insist that no political or security justification can legitimize such an action carried out without the consent of the state concerned.
In response to this exceptional situation, Venezuelan institutions announced measures aimed at ensuring the continuity of the state. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez was entrusted with interim executive powers, with the support of the armed forces and the country’s main judicial institutions. The government maintains that the state apparatus remains fully operational and that institutional stability is preserved despite the forced absence of the president.
The official Venezuelan narrative also emphasizes the international dimension of the crisis. Authorities are calling on the international community to recognize the seriousness of the act carried out by the United States and to uphold the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign states. Caracas believes that this case goes beyond a bilateral dispute and represents a dangerous precedent for the balance of international relations.
For the Venezuelan government, the abduction of the president is part of a broader strategy of political pressure and destabilization. It accuses Washington of seeking to impose a change of power by force, bypassing diplomatic and democratic mechanisms. This situation has fueled a climate of tension and uncertainty, both domestically and across the region.
Venezuela’s position is unequivocal: the actions of the United States are rejected as illegal and contrary to the fundamental principles of state sovereignty. The country asserts its right to self-determination and reiterates that only the Venezuelan people can decide their political future. Pending a diplomatic resolution, Caracas is calling for international mobilization in support of respect for international law and global stability.
