After the arrest of Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, the statement of opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado is making headlines around the world. He indicated that the opposition could take power in Venezuela.

Venezuelan Vice President Delsey Rodriguez was sworn in as interim President on Monday (January 5, 2026). Trump on Saturday (January 3, 2026) refused to work closely with Machado, saying that he has neither support nor respect within the country. After this statement of the American President, Machado has now started trying to convince him through her statement.

The time has come to return to Venezuela: Machado

In an interview with Fox News, Machado said that she wants to dedicate her Nobel Peace Prize to President Trump. He said, ‘As soon as I came to know about receiving the Nobel Prize, I decided to dedicate it to US President Trump. America did what the world thought was impossible. He said that after hiding for more than a year, now is the right time for his return.

Machado tried to persuade Trump by mentioning Russia, China and Iran

Machado targeted Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez, saying she was unfit to lead the government. He said, ‘Delsey is one of the main architects of corruption and drug trafficking. She is very close to Russia, China and Iran and is not trusted by international investors. The Venezuelan people have rejected him.

Machado told when was the last time he talked to Trump?

Machado is now considered the most credible opponent of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. She went to Norway last month to accept the Nobel Prize and has not returned since. He said that the Nobel Peace Prize was announced on October 10, 2025 and on the same day he spoke to Trump for the last time. On the question of returning to Venezuela, she said, ‘I am planning to go back home as soon as possible.’

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Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were presented in the US court, where both declared themselves innocent. When appearing in court, Cilia Flores’ face and head were covered with bandages. Injury marks were visible on his right eye and his face was bowed. Flores’ attorney Mark Donnelly told the court that he suffered serious injuries during the kidnapping and may need medical treatment. The lawyer told the court that Cilia Flores’ ribs may have been broken.

Cilia Flores’ lawyer demands medical examination

Donnelly demanded that his client’s entire body be X-rayed so that his true health could be determined. Nicolas Maduro also appeared in court with him and pleaded not guilty to several charges, including cocaine importation and weapons offences. He said, ‘I am innocent. I am not guilty of any of the charges mentioned here. I am a decent person. During the hearing, Flores needed assistance to sit at the table, while Maduro stood and spoke in Spanish, The Sunday Guardian reported.

Maduro and his wife were seeing each other again and again in the court

The couple seemed very tense inside the court. Both were having difficulty sitting and getting up. Maduro was repeatedly looking at his wife and Flores seemed calmer than her husband. Now his next appearance in the court is to be held on March 17, 2025. Flores’ lawyer said he suffered fractures or serious injuries and should be medically examined. Nicolas Maduro’s lawyer Barry Pollack said that Maduro also has health problems and needs care.

Was dragged out of the bedroom: Report

On January 3, 2026, the Americans attacked Venezuela and arrested its then President Nicolas Maduro and his wife. According to a CNN report, the US Army had dragged both of them out of the bedroom. Venezuelan Vice President Delsey Rodriguez took oath as interim President and took the US to task. He said that America has kidnapped Maduro.

America arrested Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro on January 3, 2026, after which opposition leader Maria Corina Machado spoke openly on this matter. He also clarified that his last conversation with US President Trump was in October 2025 and he has not been in touch with him since then.

Where was Machado during the attack on Venezuela?

In an interview given to Fox News, Corina Machado told that the Nobel Peace Prize was announced on October 10, 2025 and on the same day she spoke to Trump for the last time. Machado is now considered the most credible opponent of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. She went to Norway last month to accept the Nobel Prize and has not returned since. When asked about returning to Venezuela, she said, ‘I am planning to go back home as soon as possible.’

Machado welcomed US action

He welcomed the US action against Maduro, calling it a huge step for humanity, freedom and human dignity. Venezuelan Vice President Delsey Rodriguez was sworn in as interim President on Monday (January 5, 2026). Trump on Saturday (January 3, 2026) refused to work closely with Machado, saying that he has neither support nor respect within the country.

Maduro declared himself innocent in American court

Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of Nicolas Maduro, said after his father’s arrest that history will tell who was the traitor. He warned of possible betrayal within the ruling party and called on the party to remain united. Maduro and his wife pleaded innocent in federal court on Monday (January 5, 2025) to serious charges including drug trafficking. He told the judge that he was still the President of Venezuela.

America eyes Venezuelan oil

Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves – 303 billion barrels, which is about 20 percent of global reserves and more than Saudi Arabia. After the action by US special forces in Caracas, US President Donald Trump said that now the United States will run Venezuela, including its abundant oil resources. Trump said American companies are ready to invest billions of dollars to upgrade Venezuela’s dilapidated oil infrastructure and this will “make money for the country.”

Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife pleaded innocent in federal court on Monday (January 5, 2025) on serious charges including drug trafficking. He told the judge that he was still the President of Venezuela. Nicolas Maduro and his wife came out of the court after the hearing which lasted for about 30 minutes. The next hearing of this case will be on March 17, 2026 at 11 am.

I am a decent man: Nicolas Maduro

Nicolas Maduro’s appearance came two days after a US military raid in which he was arrested in Caracas. Maduro described himself in front of the judge as the President of Venezuela and said that he had been kidnapped. Judge Alvin K. on charges including narco-terrorism and conspiracy to import cocaine. When asked by Hellerstein, Maduro said, ‘I am a decent man. I was arrested from my home in Caracas, Venezuela.

I am a prisoner of war: Maduro

Maduro’s wife Cilia Flores also declared herself completely innocent. While leaving the court, Maduro said, I am a prisoner of war. Maduro’s lawyer called it a military kidnapping and a violation of the law. This is not the first time that such an argument has been made on behalf of an accused. More than three decades ago, Panama’s Manuel Noriega accused the US of violating international law and his rights to due process by invading Panama and arresting him abroad. The court then refused to consider the legality of the attack on Panama.

Trump’s warning to Venezuela’s interim leader

President Donald Trump said the US controls Venezuela and warned its interim leader to cooperate or pay a heavy price. Delsey Rodriguez, who served as vice president during Maduro’s regime, invited the US government to cooperate and stressed, ‘Venezuela has a right to peace, development, sovereignty and a future.’

At the end of his appearance in the court, Maduro waved towards the crowd, after which a person standing there came to him. The man told Maduro, ‘You will have to pay a price on behalf of Venezuela.’ In response, Maduro said, ‘By the grace of God I will be free.’

Amid increasing tension with America, several explosions were heard in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. According to the information, the US Army carried out an air strike in Caracas, after which several explosions were heard throughout the city. After the air strike by the US Army, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have been captured by America and both are currently in America’s custody.

After the attacks by America, Venezuela also came into discussion because Venezuela has the largest oil reserves in the world, yet it is among the poorest countries. In such a situation, let us now tell you why Venezuela is so poor despite having the world’s largest oil reserves.

The world’s largest oil reserves, yet the situation is bad65558/

According to Al Jazeera report, Venezuela has the world’s largest proven oil reserves. By 2023, Venezuela had about 303 billion barrels of oil. Despite this, Venezuela earns very little from the export of crude oil and is counted among the poor countries of the world. After Venezuela, Saudi Arabia is at second place with 267.2 barrels, followed by Iran with 208.6 barrels and Canada at third place with 163.6 barrels. These four countries together own more than half of the global oil reserves. If compared with America, America has about 55 billion barrels of oil reserves, whereas Venezuela’s reserves are five times more. Despite this, Venezuela is far behind America in oil income. A major reason for this is considered to be international restrictions and limited production.

Why is Venezuelan oil sold at low prices?

Most of Venezuela’s oil reserves are in the Orinoco Belt, where heavy and high density crude oil is found. This type of oil is expensive to extract and process. It also contains high amount of sulfur, due to which this oil is sold at a low price in the international market. The country’s state oil company PDVSA has the entire responsibility of oil production, but due to old infrastructure, lack of investment, mismanagement and international sanctions, Venezuela is not able to take full advantage of its huge oil reserves.

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Amidst increasing tension with Venezuela, US President Donald Trump has threatened its President Nicolas Maduro to leave the country. Trump had admitted on Sunday (30 November 2025) that he had spoken to Maduro on the phone, although it was not known what conversation took place between the two leaders.

Trump threatened Maduro to flee the country

According to the report of Miami Herald, Trump warned Nicolas Maduro on the phone and said that if you want to save yourself and your family, you will have to leave the country (Venezuela) immediately. Trump offered Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores and their son a safe exit from the country. For this a condition was set that they would have to leave the country immediately. However, Venezuela refused to accept these conditions, after which the talks failed.

Trump closed Venezuelan airspace

America is taking strict action against the supply of drugs to the US via Venezuela. Recently, Trump announced the closure of airspace in Venezuela, which the Maduro government termed as against international standards and said that it is a direct threat to the sovereignty of an independent nation. Trump wrote on Truth Social, “All airlines, pilots, drug dealers and human traffickers are requested to consider completely closing the airspace over and around Venezuela.”

Will war break out between America and Venezuela?

After the announcement of closure of airspace, speculation has increased whether America is preparing to attack Venezuela? At present, there has been no comment from America on these speculations. America has been continuously alleging that drugs are being supplied to the US through Venezuela. For this reason, America has intensified attacks in the Caribbean Sea in the last few weeks. America attacked more than 20 ships here and more than 80 people were killed.

The US President messaged the troops on Thanksgiving Day on Thursday (27 November 2025), “We will start stopping them from the ground. The action on the ground is easy and is going to start very soon.” A large number of US Navy ships of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford have been deployed in this area. Apart from this, 15,000 military personnel are deployed.

The US has deployed warships in the Southern Caribbean Sea by running an anti -smuggling campaign against Venezuela and other drug cartel. Now once again American fighter aircraft was seen flying in the sky of Venezuela. Venezuela has condemned this illegal infiltration, describing it as an action to instigate it. In recent weeks, the US Army attacked small boats, saying that she was involved in drug smuggling from Venezuela. At least 14 people died in these attacks.

Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez warned Washington against the military attacks on the South American nation. He said, ‘Don’t make such a mistake.’ Venezuela Foreign Minister Yavan Gill said in a statement on social media that on Thursday, American aircraft were detected about 75 km from our shores. He said that this step of America is an excitement action for Venezuela, which is a threat to national sovereignty. It violates international law.

According to the news agency Xinhua, the presence of American warships in the Caribbean Sea has endangered the safety of Venezuela civilian aircraft. Earlier, Venezuela Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez condemned the deployment of American aircraft in the southern Caribbean Sea and the military harassment of the US government against those of Venezuela, who want peace, work and happiness.

Padrino said on Thursday that Venezuela’s air defense system detected at least five American aircraft flying at a speed of 400 knots at an altitude of 35,000 feet. Later, in a joint statement with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Defense said that the infiltration of foreign aircraft was 75 km from the coast of Venezuela on Thursday. According to officials, a aircraft of Airline Airline in Columbia also witnessed American aircraft to fly in Venezuela’s outskirts.