The situation in Venezuela
The USA warned Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello about possible consequences of refusing to cooperate. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino is also on the list of potential targets. Both officials are under investigation in the USA for charges related to drug trafficking.
On January 3 of this year, Nicolas Maduro was arrested, and on January 5 he was brought to court in New York. The charges against him were initially filed in absentia in March 2020. As a result of these events, Delsy Rodriguez became the interim president of Venezuela. The oath-taking ceremony for Rodriguez was presided over by Parliament Speaker Jorge Rodriguez.
Political consequences
The situation in the country remains tense, as the events surrounding Maduro's arrest and the warnings for Cabello and Padrino may have serious consequences for the political situation in Venezuela.
The arrest of Nicolas Maduro and subsequent actions by the USA regarding Venezuelan officials indicate an escalation of international pressure on the Venezuelan government. This could lead to new political changes in the country, as well as impact the stability of the region, as Venezuela is at the center of an economic and humanitarian crisis. The further development of events may determine whether the new leadership of the country can find ways out of the crisis or if the situation will escalate even further.