Trump to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez: Either get on board or get out of the way

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By Seth McLaughlin - The Washington Times - Sunday, January 4, 2026

President Trump has delivered a blunt message to Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez after the U.S. capture of President Nicolás Maduro: Work with Washington, or the U.S. will find someone else who will.

That’s how Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the situation during an interview on “Fox News Sunday.” She said Mr. Trump’s talks with Ms. Rodríguez have been “very matter‑of‑fact and very clear.”

“You can lead, or you can get out of the way,” she said.

Ms Noem said the Trump administration won’t tolerate Venezuelan officials who “subvert our American influence” and prop up dictators who have fueled crimes and drug trafficking.

Mr. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured Saturday in a dramatic U.S. military operation in Caracas and flown to New York City to face drug‑trafficking and terrorism‑related charges. Mr. Maduro denies the allegations.

Mr. Trump has said the U.S. will temporarily “run” Venezuela and begin selling its oil reserves to other countries.

One of the most significant questions about what happens next revolves around who will lead Venezuela as it transitions from Mr. Maduro’s tenure.

Some had assumed that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year, was a candidate.

Mr. Trump, however, has made it clear that Ms. Rodríguez will get the first crack at the job. She has served as Mr. Maduro’s vice president since 2018 and has been tapped by Venezuela’s high court to serve as interim president.

Ms. Rodriguez has demanded that the U.S. release Mr. Maduro, though Mr. Trump suggested she is ready to work with Washington.

“She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Mr. Trump told reporters of Ms. Rodríguez.

Mr. Trump said Ms. Rodríguez had a long conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Ms. Rodríguez previously faced U.S. sanctions during Mr. Trump’s first administration for her role in undermining Venezuelan democracy.

With Mr. Maduro now in U.S. custody, Ms. Noem said the door is open for a new leader in Caracas to steer the nation in a more U.S.-friendly direction.

“We’re continuing now to make sure that we have someone in place that we can work with in Venezuela that does not continue to kill our children and our grandchildren,” Ms. Noem said.

• This article is based in part on wire service reports.

• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.