A woman shows a painting depicting ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and former President Hugo Chavez during a demonstration by supporters in Caracas on Sunday. A highly confidential CIA assessment produced at the request of the White House warned President Trump of a wider conflict in Venezuela if he were to support the country’s democratic opposition once its president, Nicolás Maduro, was deposed, a person familiar with the matter told The Times. AdvertisementInstead, Trump said his administration was working with Maduro’s handpicked vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, who has since been named the country’s interim president. The existence of the CIA assessment was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president Monday in a ceremony attended by diplomats from Russia, China and Iran.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 07, 2026 14:20 UTC