Four Months After Maduro’s Capture: How Venezuelans Really Feel About US Intervention

Demonstrators in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 29, 2026. | Javier Campos/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

It has been four months since the US captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and brought him to the US to stand trial. His vice president, Delcy Rodríguez, now leads the country as interim president, but the Trump administration has remained largely silent on the next steps for Venezuela.

Missy Ryan, a staff writer at The Atlantic, recently told Vox that some polling indicates a surprising shift in public sentiment. A significant number of Venezuelans now feel their country is either better off or at least no worse off than before the US intervention—contradicting many pessimistic forecasts following Maduro’s removal.

To explore this unexpected outcome, Ryan spoke with Today, Explained co-host Sean Rameswaram about the current state of the US operation and what the positive outlook from within Venezuela signals for the future. Below is an edited excerpt of their conversation for clarity and length. For the full discussion, listen to Today, Explained on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify.

Why the Surprising Optimism in Venezuela?

You published a piece in The Atlantic titled “Venezuela Seems to Be Going … Well?” Why did you choose that headline?

“The headline captured the surprise many of my colleagues and Latin America experts felt three months after Maduro’s ouster. Contrary to expectations of destabilization, potential armed insurgencies, or state fracturing, Venezuela remained relatively stable. In fact, there was a cautiously positive response from the Venezuelan public.”

Was this optimism reflected in polling, or was it just media sentiment?

“This wasn’t just analysts in Washington or Miami speculating. Venezuelans themselves—both within the country and in the global exile community—expressed cautious optimism or at least a willingness to withhold judgment until they saw tangible improvements. The ultimate measure of success should be how Venezuelans feel, not external observers.”

Delcy Rodríguez’s Interim Leadership

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez has been given time to prove her administration’s ability to address pressing economic and social issues. Early signs suggest some progress, though tangible effects on prices remain limited. Investment is slowly returning, a positive sign for a country recovering from severe repression and economic decline.