NATIONAL SEARCH IS ON: Venezuela orders nationwide manhunt for supporters after Maduro’s arrest by US forces

January 6, 2026

Venezuelan authorities have been ordered to find and arrest anyone involved in supporting the military operation that led to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.

A state of emergency decree issued Saturday, but published Monday, orders police to “immediately begin the national search and capture of everyone involved in the promotion or support for the armed attack by the United States,” according to the text of the decree, Reuters reported.

It was not clear what charges could be levied against those taken into custody.

Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former number two, has been sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president. Rodríguez, who served as vice president from 2018, expressed a desire for balanced international relations with the U.S.

“We invite the US government to collaborate with us on an agenda of cooperation oriented towards shared development within the framework of international law to strengthen lasting community coexistence,” she wrote.

Trump has warned Rodríguez to cooperate with the U.S. during the transition in Venezuela, or she will face consequences.