US abduction of Maduro: Venezuela says Qatar helped secure ‘proof of life’ Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 01/10/2026 - 16:56 Acting President says Qatar facilitated a channel of communication between Venezuela and US This handout picture released by the Miraflores Palace press office shows Delcy Rodriguez (C) speaking during a council of ministers meeting at the Vice Presidency headquarters in Caracas on January 4, 2026. Marcelo Garcia / Miraflores press office / AFP Off Venezuela's acting President, Delcy Rodriguez, on Friday said that Qatar helped the country obtain "proof of life" of Nicholas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, state-run Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) reported. "I want to emphasise and thank the Emir of Qatar, who, in the darkest hours of the early morning, when Venezuela was being attacked, helped—he, his government, his prime minister—to obtain the first proof of life of the president and the first lady," Rodriguez said. Rodriguez said that Qatar facilitated "a channel of communication and dialogue" between the United States and Venezuela, adding that the country is "helping in a working agenda that is beneficial to both parties within the framework of respect for international law." On Tuesday, Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed al Ansari, in his weekly press conference, said the State of Qatar was ready to contribute to any international effort aimed at "achieving an immediate peaceful solution" in Venezuela. Qatar offered to mediate while calling for "resolving disputes through dialogue" following the US military attack, which left at least one hundred dead , including civilians and military personnel. On 2 January, US special forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from the capital, Caracas, as American fighter jets bombed key military installations and bases across the country. Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, said the US seizure of Maduro had "Zionist undertones". Rodriguez, who served as Maduro's vice president, has been appointed by the Supreme Court to lead the country on an interim basis. On 3 January, US President Donald Trump said that American forces had “captured” Maduro in what he described as large-scale strikes on the country. US officials told CBS that the operation to “capture” Maduro was carried out by the elite Delta Force unit. Trump later described the mission as “brilliant” in a phone call with The New York Times. Venezuela crisis: Five graphs explain why Trump wants the oil Read More » Sky News reported that senior Venezuelan opposition sources said Maduro’s exit had been “negotiated” with the US. Following the strikes, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino said in a video statement that Venezuela would resist the presence of foreign troops, describing the US attacks as “the worst aggression” against the country and announcing the nationwide deployment of military forces. US Senator Mike Lee of Utah said on X that Secretary of State Marco Rubio "anticipates no further action in Venezuela now". Lee said he spoke with Rubio by phone and was told that Maduro "will stand trial on criminal charges in the United States". On 5 January, Maduro entered a not guilty plea in a federal courthouse in New York City. Appearing shackled and in prison clothes, Maduro told 92-year-old judge Alvin Hellerstein through an interpreter: "I am the president of Venezuela." "I was kidnapped," he added. "I am a decent man," and "I am innocent," Maduro said. No cameras were allowed inside the courtroom, but several reporters were allowed to observe the proceedings. Maduro, in power since 2013, has been accused by Trump of leading the Cartel de los Soles, which Washington has designated a foreign terrorist organisation. In 2020, the US indicted him on corruption and other charges. Washington also imposed sweeping sanctions on his government and offered a $50m reward for information leading to his arrest. Maduro has repeatedly rejected US allegations, saying the so-called “war on drugs” is a pretext to overthrow his government and seize Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. UK attacks News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0