Washington, 5 January: The arrest of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has removed the country’s most powerful political figure from the scene. However, the key question now is who will lead the nation and how the transfer of power will take place. US officials acknowledge that significant uncertainty remains regarding the future.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio clearly stated that the United States does not recognise Maduro or his successors as legitimate leaders. Still, he emphasised that ground realities cannot be ignored.
In an interview on NBC’s ‘Meet the Press,’ Rubio said, “We will have to deal with those who hold the guns.” He was referring to Venezuela’s security agencies and government structures that remain active.
Rubio also confirmed in interviews with ABC News and CBS News that he had spoken with Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who has assumed leadership following Maduro’s arrest. However, he did not disclose any details of their discussions, noting that the real importance lies in the steps they take next.
He reiterated that engaging in talks does not imply US recognition of any party as a legitimate leader. The question of legitimacy was a central topic of discussion on Sunday. Experts pointed out that Rodríguez is already subject to sanctions by the US and the European Union and has been a key figure in Maduro’s government.
David Sanger, a New York Times journalist speaking on CNN, observed that the current US administration is adopting a pragmatic approach by working with those who can cooperate immediately, rather than focusing solely on democratic symbols.
Meanwhile, some experts mentioned opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González, who claimed victory in the contested 2024 elections but currently remain outside the power transition process.
Rubio expressed respect for the opposition but said that holding immediate elections after years of dictatorship is impractical. He told ABC News, “Everyone wants elections tomorrow. That is ridiculous. These things take time and require a process.”
Military analysts warned that Venezuela’s armed forces remain powerful and united. Former US Southern Command chief Admiral James Stavridis told CNN that the US faces difficult choices: either work with the existing framework or risk chaos.
Rubio added that the US will maintain pressure through oil-related sanctions and maritime monitoring while observing how the interim leadership behaves.
Currently, Nicolás Maduro is in US custody and is undergoing trial. However, as officials and experts agree, the arrest of one leader does not resolve the fundamental issues related to governance. What happens next remains the biggest and most challenging question.
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