Venezuela’s acting leader says ‘Zionist undertones’ marked U.S. capture of Maduro

A protester holds Nicolas Maduro’s portrait during a demonstration against Maduro’s capture in front of the U.S. Embassy on January 4, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Olmo Blanco/Getty Images

(JTA) — Venezuela’s acting leader, in an address to the nation on Sunday, said there were “Zionist undertones” to the U.S. military’s capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

Delcy Rodriguez, a vice president under Maduro who is now the interim leader, has demanded the “immediate release” of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, since they were captured by U.S. forces on Saturday. Maduro and Flores were flown to New York City, where they are expected to appear in federal court on drug-trafficking and other charges on Monday. 

“Governments around the world are simply shocked that the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is the victim and target of an attack of this nature, which undoubtedly has Zionist undertones,” Rodriguez said in the televised address. “It is truly shameful.” 

President Donald Trump doubled down on his assertion that the United States was “in charge” of Venezuela on Sunday night, telling reporters that he demanded “total access” from Rodriguez. 

“We need access to the oil and to other things in their country that allow us to rebuild their country,” Trump said.

Rodriguez’s reference to “Zionist” influence echoed past statements by Maduro. The president said that “Zionists” were facilitating Venezuela’s takeover as the United States ramped up its military campaign, including strikes on boats and a naval buildup in the Caribbean Sea, over recent months.

“There are those who want to hand this country over to the devils — you know who, right? The far-right Zionists want to hand this country over to the devils,” Maduro said during a speech in November.

Maduro also blamed “international Zionism” for protests that swept across Venezuela in 2024, after he was accused of stealing the presidential election amid widespread claims of fraud.

Venezuela and Israel have not had formal relations since 2009, when then-President Hugo Chávez cut ties, citing Israel’s conduct during its offensive in Gaza that year. Maduro, like Chavez, is deeply critical of Israel and supportive of Palestinians.

Israeli officials have not publicly responded to Rodriguez’s claim about “Zionist undertones,” but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu celebrated Maduro’s ouster without naming him on Saturday. 

“Congratulations, President @realDonaldTrump for your bold and historic leadership on behalf of freedom and justice. I salute your decisive resolve and the brilliant action of your brave soldiers,” Netanyahu said on X.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also praised the U.S. action and said that “Israel stands alongside the freedom-loving Venezuelan people, who have suffered under Maduro’s illegal tyranny.”

Venezuela’s official Jewish community has not yet commented on the operation to remove Maduro. Some 3,000 to 5,000 Jews live in the country, down from a height of about 25,000 in the 1990s. Maduro’s 12-year reign was marked by a protracted economic collapse, exacerbated by U.S. oil sanctions, that drove an exodus of 7.7 million Venezuelans. 

The Jewish Democratic Council of America condemned Trump’s actions and attempts to “create regime change” in a statement on Saturday. 

“For the overwhelming majority of Jewish American voters, maintaining our democracy is the number one policy priority,” said the group. “The American people do not want — nor did they vote for — unauthorized war with Venezuela, especially not one that circumvents the U.S. Constitution.”