The X post from
@BRICSinfo
(BRICS News) reports:
"JUST IN: 🇺🇸🇻🇪 US President Trump threatens Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez
'She will pay a bigger price than Maduro if she doesn't do what's right.'"This is based on real events as of January 4, 2026.Background and Verification
  • On January 3, 2026, U.S. forces conducted a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, involving airstrikes on Caracas and surrounding areas, followed by a raid that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
  • They were flown to New York City, where Maduro is detained and expected to face federal charges related to narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons possession.
  • President Trump announced that the U.S. would temporarily "run" Venezuela and involve American oil companies in rebuilding its infrastructure.
  • Following Maduro's capture, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president, with support from Venezuela's supreme court. She has publicly condemned the U.S. action as aggression and affirmed Maduro remains the legitimate president.
Trump's Threat
  • In a phone interview with The Atlantic on January 4, 2026, Trump stated that if Rodríguez "doesn't do what's right," she would "pay a bigger price than Maduro" — a direct warning amid tensions over her defiance.
  • This came after Trump initially claimed she was willing to cooperate, which Rodríguez rejected in public statements.
Reactions
  • The post has garnered significant engagement on X, with replies criticizing U.S. intervention as imperialism, violations of international law, and highlighting oil interests.
  • Global responses are mixed: celebrations among some Venezuelan expatriates, protests elsewhere, and condemnation from several Latin American countries and international figures.
The situation remains fluid, with potential risks to regional stability and oil markets. Sources include major outlets like The New York Times, Reuters, The Atlantic, Fox News, Al Jazeera, and CNN, confirming the operation's details across the political spectrum.