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Nicolas Maduro Guerra, the son of captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, has pledged his “unconditional support” to newly-sworn interim President Delsey Rodriguez, who served as his father’s vice president.
According to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Maduro Guerra, often referred to as “Nicolasito”, said, “My unconditional support for the very difficult task you have been given.” “Trust me, trust my family, trust our perseverance in taking the right steps to the forefront of this responsibility that is now yours.”
Maduro Guerra made the comments during his first public appearance since his father and stepmother Cilia Flores were captured by US forces and extradited to New York. The son of Venezuela’s ousted president, himself a lawmaker, joined other ruling party lawmakers at the planned swearing-in ceremony of the National Assembly, which will run until 2031, the Associated Press reported.
Trump issues direct warning to Venezuela’s new leader Delsey Rodriguez after Maduro’s capture
Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of ousted President Nicolas Maduro, speaks to protesters on the day Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on January 5, 2026 in Caracas, Venezuela. (Maxwell Briceño/Reuters)
Maduro Guerra condemned the US action as a “kidnapping” and said that “no country is safe.”
According to CBC, Maduro Guerra said, “If we accept as normal the kidnapping of a head of state, no country is safe. Today, it is Venezuela. Tomorrow, it could be any country that refuses to surrender.” “This is not a regional problem. This is a direct threat to global political stability.”
Rodriguez, who was sworn in on Monday, has served as vice president since 2018. Despite his objections to the US military action that led to the arrest of his former boss, Rodriguez has vowed to work with the Trump administration.
“I am saddened by the suffering suffered by the Venezuelan people following the illegitimate military aggression against our homeland,” Rodriguez said, according to the AP.
Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting President of Venezuela, pledging loyalty to Nicolas Maduro and Hugo Chávez, in Caracas on January 5, 2026, at the inaugural session of the National Assembly’s new legislative term. (Venezuelan National Assembly/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Venezuelan dissidents outline risks and opportunities as Venezuela enters the post-Maduro era
Maduro and Flores were captured by US forces on Saturday morning from their home in Caracas, Venezuela. The Trump administration announced the operation on Saturday after successful “large-scale” military strikes Venezuelan governmentThe dictator and his wife are now being held in New York while they wait to face narco-terrorism charges against them, The historic move drew worldwide praise and reaction, with some questioning the legality of the operation,
China and Russia were among the powers that condemned the US operation in Venezuela, while some regional allies, including Argentina, applauded the move.
Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado – who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her fight for independence in Venezuela – praised the operation, saying that January 3 “will go down as the day when justice defeated tyranny.”
“This is a milestone, and it’s huge not only for the Venezuelan people and our future, I think it’s a huge step forward for humanity, freedom and human dignity,” Machado said during an appearance on “Hannity.”
Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado gestures during an anti-government protest in Caracas, Venezuela, January 9, 2025. (Jesus Vargas/Getty Images)
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He said, “An independent Venezuela means, first of all, a security ally, eliminating the criminal center of the US and turning it into a security bulwark, the strongest ally to eliminate all these criminal structures that have caused great harm to our people and also to the American people.” Machado said, “Second, we will make Venezuela the energy hub of the Americas. We will bring the rule of law. We will open markets. We will protect foreign investment. Third, we will bring home millions of Venezuelans who have been forced to flee their country to build a stronger nation, a prosperous nation, an open society.”
Machado, who has been in hiding for more than a year, has vowed to return to Venezuela.
Fox News Digital’s Maria Lenci and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
