Donald Trump threatens Venezuela’s interim leader Delcy Rodriguez
U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, threatening severe consequences if her government fails to comply with demands from the United States. Trump said that Rodríguez could face an even “bigger price” than Venezuela’s captured president, Nicolás Maduro, if she does not take actions Washington considers appropriate.
Trump made the remarks during a brief telephone interview with The Atlantic magazine on Sunday, while traveling to Florida for a golf outing. His comments underscored a hardline approach toward Venezuela, a country that has remained at the center of U.S. foreign policy tensions for years.
“If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said, without specifying what form the consequences would take.
According to Trump, the United States has demanded that Venezuela immediately end its alleged involvement in “narco-terrorism,” including drug smuggling operations into the U.S. He also said Washington wants Venezuela to distance itself from U.S. adversaries such as Cuba and Iran, as well as militant groups like Hezbollah. Additionally, Trump emphasized that the U.S. expects greater control and oversight over Venezuela’s oil operations, a critical sector of the country’s economy.
The comments come amid confusion over Trump’s earlier statement suggesting that the United States would “run Venezuela,” a remark that sparked controversy over the weekend. On Sunday, senior Republican figures, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appeared to walk back those comments, attempting to soften the interpretation and reduce diplomatic fallout.
Trump did not clarify what he meant by the U.S. “running” Venezuela, leaving uncertainty over whether he was referring to economic oversight, political influence, or a more direct role in the country’s governance.
The statements are likely to escalate tensions between Washington and Caracas further, as Venezuela continues to face international scrutiny, economic sanctions, and internal political instability. Observers say Trump’s remarks reflect a continued policy of maximum pressure, signaling that any Venezuelan leadership unwilling to align with U.S. demands could face intensified political and economic consequences.