Trump Says the U.S. Will Take a Leading Role Following Changes in Venezuela’s Leadership

January 7, 2026 by Nadia

While Trump did not provide a detailed roadmap for regime change or governance, he noted that Venezuela has a sitting vice president and suggested that existing political structures could play a role during the transition. He also issued a stark warning to individuals and institutions that might continue supporting Maduro.

“If they stay loyal, the future is really bad for them,” Trump said. At the same time, he suggested that those who chose to shift their allegiance could face a different outcome, claiming that many had already done so due to what he described as Maduro’s lack of support.

These statements, taken together, outline Trump’s version of events and his vision for Venezuela’s immediate future, though many aspects remain based solely on his own descriptions and have not been independently verified.

In the hours following Trump’s remarks, questions quickly emerged about the broader political, legal, and international consequences of what he described as a decisive intervention in Venezuela.

While Trump expressed confidence in the outcome and repeatedly praised the operation’s execution, he did not provide detailed documentation, timelines, or independent verification to support many of his claims.

As a result, much of the discussion surrounding the situation has focused on the implications of his statements rather than confirmed developments on the ground.

Trump’s comments placed heavy emphasis on the concept of a “transition,” a term frequently used in international diplomacy to describe a temporary period between governments. Continue reading…