Venezuelans react to Maduro's removal Guillermo Zubillaga, senior director of public policy programs and corporate relations at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, discusses the future of Venezuela.
Venezuelans react to Maduro's removal Guillermo Zubillaga, senior director of public policy programs and corporate relations at the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, discusses the future of Venezuela.
Trump didn't rule out US military boots on the ground in Venezuela Republican Rep. Pat Harrigan of North Carolina joined ABC News Live to discuss congressional reaction to the U.S. attack in Venezuela.
Venezuela’s oil industry is in disrepair after years of neglect and international sanctions, so it could take years and major investments before production can increase dramatically. Back in 2007, then President Hugo Chávez nationalized much of the oil production and forced major players like ExxonMobil and ConocoPhillips out. Strong demandVenezuela produces the kind of heavy crude oil that’s needed for diesel fuel, asphalt and other fuels for heavy equipment. “There’s been a big benefit for Russia to see Venezuela’s oil industry collapse. Advertisement“For example, a big issue will be who really owns Venezuela’s oil?” Waxman wrote in an email.
Venezuelans Brace for Uncertainty After U.S. Military OperationPeople in Venezuela stocked up on supplies after the U.S. military struck the country and seized its president, Nicolás Maduro, in a pre-dawn raid on Saturday. By Shawn Paik and Axel BoadaJanuary 4, 2026
White River Medical Center in Batesville has been named to Forbes’ inaugural Top Hospitals list for 2026, one of four Arkansas hospitals included in the national ranking. Also making the list were Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville, Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas in Rogers, and Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, according to Forbes. Forbes said the rankings evaluate general acute care hospitals across the United States and aim to provide consumers with comparative information on hospital performance. The publication utilized data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ provider data catalog to evaluate hospitals based on best practices, value, and patient experience. Patient outcomes, including survival, mortality, infection, and readmission rates, were weighted most heavily.
Former DHS official on the capture of Maduro John Cohen, an ABC News contributor and former Homeland Security official, talks about the U.S. operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, shown during an August Cabinet meeting, has offered no public comment on the attack on Venezuela, which involved members of intelligence agencies. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had yet to weigh in on the U.S. operation to remove Nicolás Maduro from power in Caracas as of Saturday night, more than 24 hours since President Trump approved the audacious mission that captured the Venezuelan leader. Her silence on the operation surprised some in the U.S. intelligence community, which laid the groundwork for the mission over several months, and which had assets in harm’s way on the ground in Venezuela as the operation unfolded. It’s a lie.”Outside of government, during Trump’s first term, Gabbard also criticized advocates for regime change in Venezuela, writing in 2019, “It’s about the oil ... again.”“The United States needs to stay out of Venezuela,” Gabbard wrote at the time. “We don’t want other countries to choose our leaders,” she added, “so we have to stop trying to choose theirs.”
Growing concerns about legality of Maduro’s capture Elizabeth Neumann, former DHS assistant secretary, joins ABC News Live to discuss concerns about the legality of the operation.
Amid widespread apprehension about what comes next, the streets of the capital Caracas and other cities have been quiet. There’s no sign of panic buying but Venezuelans are used to stocking up whenever there is a crisis. People queue at a store to get groceries in Caracas on January 3, 2026, after US forces captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. Wilman Gonzalez stands at his home, which he says was hit during US military operations to capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in Catia La Mar, Venezuela. Matias Delacroix/APSome Venezuelans are unhappy at the prospect of decisions for Venezuela being taken at the White House.
Maduro captured, brought to New York to face charges On “This Week,” ABC News’ Aaron Katersky reports on the drug charges Nicolas Maduro is facing in New York.
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LOADING ERROR LOADINGNBC’s Kristen Welker challenged Secretary of State Marco Rubio over President Donald Trump launching a strike against Venezuela and capturing its president Nicolás Maduro without the approval of congress. And will it happen with any future action the administration plans to take in Venezuela or elsewhere?”AdvertisementWelker was referencing a Dec. 16 interview, in which Wiles told the outlet that military action in Venezuela would require congressional approval. How can you notify something you’re not even sure if it can happen?” Rubio claimed. This was a law enforcement function to capture an indicted drug trafficker.”Welker didn’t let Rubio off the hook. She then grilled him over whether the Trump administration will “seek congressional approval for any further action in Venezuela or the region.”“Well, we will seek congressional approval for actions that require congressional approval, but otherwise they will get congressional notification,” Rubio responded.
