Here's the basics: Venezuelan president kidnaping
- Isabella Chin
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
What you need to know
On January 3rd, 2026, the President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro was arrested in his home, Caracas. The U.S military, under the authorization of President Trump, arrested Maduro on drugs and weapons charges. He is now accused and being tried for importing weapons into the United States. Currently he is being detained in Brooklyn. His role as president is now being assumed by Delcy Rodriguez, vice president of the former president. However, she is not alone in governing Venezuela as she is being governmentally regulated by President Trump.
From now on President Trump has to “take care” of Venezuela until a proper transition has been made; until then, the United States has control over Venezuelan oil reserves. Following that, there are ‘big’ plans where a U.S corporation will supposedly fix the oil infrastructure of Venezuela.
What's going on now
The past few weeks have been a whirlwind. Delcy Rodriguez has made a pledge to set free all those who have been detained under Maduro’s term. The number of the incarcerated have been largely inflated. In actuality, only about 100 people have been freed. Human rights activists have voiced complaints that the process is too slow, and about 600 people are still being detained. On top of that, many citizens who have been freed have not had their charges dropped.
The country has also just signed a reform that will allow foreign countries to excavate oil on the fields of Venezuela. This is being overseen by U.S officials and in a testimony with Mark Rubio he has stated that all revenue Venezuela has made will go back into the country. Claiming that the United States will only be there until the country is stable.
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