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US Takes Control of Venezuela After Maduro Ouster, Pope Calls for Independence

The Trump administration has taken control of Venezuela after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the US is "running the direction" of the country. Pope Leo XIV has called for Venezuelan independence, while SpaceX's Starlink has announced it will provide free internet service to the people of Venezuela for the next month.

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The situation in Venezuela has taken a dramatic turn after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, with the US taking control of the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that the Trump...

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5 cited references across 1 linked domain. Blindspot watch: Single outlet risk.

  1. Source 1 · Fulqrum Sources

    Pope Leo calls for Venezuelan independence after Maduro ouster

  2. Source 2 · Fulqrum Sources

    Live updates: US running ‘direction’ of Venezuela after Maduro ouster; Trump admin to brief some lawmakers Monday

  3. Source 3 · Fulqrum Sources

    Trump administration to brief members of Congress on Venezuela actions Monday

  4. Source 4 · Fulqrum Sources

    Starlink says it will provide service to people of Venezuela through Feb. 3

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US Takes Control of Venezuela After Maduro Ouster, Pope Calls for Independence

The Trump administration has taken control of Venezuela after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the US is "running the direction" of the country. Pope Leo XIV has called for Venezuelan independence, while SpaceX's Starlink has announced it will provide free internet service to the people of Venezuela for the next month.

Monday, January 5, 2026 • 3 min read • 5 source references

  • 3 min read
  • 5 source references

The situation in Venezuela has taken a dramatic turn after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, with the US taking control of the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that the Trump administration is "running the direction" of Venezuela, with the US playing a key role in the country's governance until a new leadership can be established.

According to Rubio, the US is not "running the country" in the classical sense, but rather "running the direction that this is going to move moving forward." This statement has sparked concerns about the extent of US involvement in Venezuela's internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has weighed in on the situation, calling for the safeguarding of Venezuelan sovereignty. In a statement during his Sunday prayer in St. Peter's Square, the Pope emphasized the importance of putting the interests of the Venezuelan people first.

The Pope's statement comes as the international community grapples with the implications of the US's involvement in Venezuela. The US has long been critical of Maduro's regime, and the capture of the President has raised questions about the future of the country.

In a related development, SpaceX's Starlink has announced that it will provide free internet service to the people of Venezuela for the next month. The company's CEO, Elon Musk, stated that the service will be provided free of charge through February 3.

The move is seen as a significant development, given the importance of internet access in modern communication. The Venezuelan people have faced significant challenges in recent years, including food and medicine shortages, and the lack of access to reliable internet has only exacerbated these problems.

The Trump administration's involvement in Venezuela has also raised questions about the role of the US in international affairs. The administration has been criticized for its handling of foreign policy, and the situation in Venezuela has sparked concerns about the potential for US interventionism.

In a briefing scheduled for Monday, Trump administration officials will provide lawmakers with more information about the operation that led to Maduro's capture. The briefing will involve several administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Attorney General William Barr.

The situation in Venezuela is complex and multifaceted, with various stakeholders vying for influence. As the US takes control of the country, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days and weeks.

In a separate development, a new report from Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee has highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by the January 6 rioters. The report notes that at least 23 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 case have committed new crimes since the attack on the Capitol.

The report raises concerns about the ongoing threat posed by these individuals and the need for continued vigilance in the face of domestic extremism. The situation in Venezuela serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of international relations, and the need for careful consideration and nuanced decision-making.

As the world watches the situation in Venezuela unfold, one thing is clear: the coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the future of the country and the role of the US in international affairs.

The situation in Venezuela has taken a dramatic turn after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, with the US taking control of the country. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that the Trump administration is "running the direction" of Venezuela, with the US playing a key role in the country's governance until a new leadership can be established.

According to Rubio, the US is not "running the country" in the classical sense, but rather "running the direction that this is going to move moving forward." This statement has sparked concerns about the extent of US involvement in Venezuela's internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has weighed in on the situation, calling for the safeguarding of Venezuelan sovereignty. In a statement during his Sunday prayer in St. Peter's Square, the Pope emphasized the importance of putting the interests of the Venezuelan people first.

The Pope's statement comes as the international community grapples with the implications of the US's involvement in Venezuela. The US has long been critical of Maduro's regime, and the capture of the President has raised questions about the future of the country.

In a related development, SpaceX's Starlink has announced that it will provide free internet service to the people of Venezuela for the next month. The company's CEO, Elon Musk, stated that the service will be provided free of charge through February 3.

The move is seen as a significant development, given the importance of internet access in modern communication. The Venezuelan people have faced significant challenges in recent years, including food and medicine shortages, and the lack of access to reliable internet has only exacerbated these problems.

The Trump administration's involvement in Venezuela has also raised questions about the role of the US in international affairs. The administration has been criticized for its handling of foreign policy, and the situation in Venezuela has sparked concerns about the potential for US interventionism.

In a briefing scheduled for Monday, Trump administration officials will provide lawmakers with more information about the operation that led to Maduro's capture. The briefing will involve several administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Attorney General William Barr.

The situation in Venezuela is complex and multifaceted, with various stakeholders vying for influence. As the US takes control of the country, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days and weeks.

In a separate development, a new report from Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee has highlighted the ongoing challenges posed by the January 6 rioters. The report notes that at least 23 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 case have committed new crimes since the attack on the Capitol.

The report raises concerns about the ongoing threat posed by these individuals and the need for continued vigilance in the face of domestic extremism. The situation in Venezuela serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of international relations, and the need for careful consideration and nuanced decision-making.

As the world watches the situation in Venezuela unfold, one thing is clear: the coming days and weeks will be crucial in determining the future of the country and the role of the US in international affairs.

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The Hill

House Judiciary Democrats detail crimes committed by Jan. 6 rioters

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Pope Leo calls for Venezuelan independence after Maduro ouster

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Live updates: US running ‘direction’ of Venezuela after Maduro ouster; Trump admin to brief some lawmakers Monday

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Trump administration to brief members of Congress on Venezuela actions Monday

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Starlink says it will provide service to people of Venezuela through Feb. 3

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This article was synthesized by Fulqrum AI from 5 trusted sources, combining multiple perspectives into a comprehensive summary. All source references are listed below.