President Donald Trump announced today that the United States has formally recognized the Venezuelan government led by Delcy Rodríguez, stating, “We have, in effect, legally recognized them,” during a meeting with Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Doral, Florida.
The announcement follows a recent agreement between the U.S. And the transitional government in Venezuela to reestablish diplomatic relations. This move comes after a U.S. Military operation on January 3, 2026, resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, according to a statement released by the White House and confirmed by multiple sources.
Since Maduro’s removal, Rodríguez, formerly his vice president, has served as acting president of the oil-rich South American nation. The U.S. Military operation, dubbed “Operation Absolute Resolve,” involved elements of the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Delta Force, the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and specialized units from the Cyber and Space Commands, as well as the CIA, FBI, and DEA. Maduro and Flores are currently detained in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York, awaiting trial on charges including drug trafficking, allegations they deny.
Venezuela’s opposition, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado, does not consider Rodríguez’s government legitimate. Washington had previously refused to recognize Maduro’s reelection following the 2024 presidential election, which was marred by allegations of fraud.
According to U.S. Officials, the collaboration with Rodríguez’s government is now focused on gradually assisting the Venezuelan people in establishing the conditions for a peaceful transition to a democratically elected government. The U.S. Has also indicated a willingness to lift sanctions on Venezuelan oil trade and pursue privatization of the country’s oil industry, contingent on continued cooperation.
The operation to capture Maduro involved airstrikes and a coordinated effort across multiple branches of the U.S. Military. Reports indicate 23 to 47 Venezuelan military personnel, and 32 Cuban military and security personnel were killed during the operation, along with two civilians. Seven U.S. Soldiers were injured.
Trump recently honored the special forces members involved in the operation, further signaling the administration’s commitment to the new political landscape in Venezuela. The BBC reported that Trump has implied Venezuela is now a U.S. Protectorate, placing significant pressure on Rodríguez to comply with U.S. Demands. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has investigated Rodríguez, though no conviction, bounty, or indictment has been issued, a threat that remains in place, according to sources familiar with the situation.
As of February 24, 2026, an amnesty bill had been passed, resulting in the release of 545 political prisoners detained in Venezuela. The situation remains fluid, with the fate of Maduro and Flores, and the long-term political future of Venezuela, still uncertain.
