Was Maduro betrayed claims point to Delcy Godriguez US talks?

Nicolás Maduro appeared before a US judge in New York after being taken from Caracas in a US operation, denying all charges and insisting he remains Venezuela’s president. The speed and lack of resistance surrounding his removal have fueled claims that the detention may not have been carried out without internal consent, pushing the question of betrayal to the forefront of regional debate.

Claims of internal complicity

Attention has focused on Delcy Rodriguez, who assumed interim authority after Maduro’s removal. According to reports cited by The Telegraph, Rodriguez presented herself to US officials as a viable alternative to the Maduro administration. Former Colombian vice president Santos Calderon went further, alleging Rodriguez “sold out” Maduro, saying he was “certain” she facilitated the handover.

Backchannel diplomacy via Doha

British media reports say contacts between Rodriguez and Washington were conducted through Doha, with a member of the Qatari royal family acting as intermediary. Two proposals were reportedly discussed with the Trump administration, including scenarios in which Maduro would step aside or be sent into exile, potentially to Qatar or Türkiye, while US companies gained access to Venezuelan oil. Both plans were said to have been rejected by Washington.

Power transition and regional fallout

Following US air activity over Caracas on January 3, Venezuela’s Supreme Court authorized Rodriguez to temporarily assume presidential powers, a move backed by the military. The episode has intensified scrutiny of US influence in Latin America and revived debates over sovereignty, energy politics, and external intervention. Observers in Türkiye and across the Global South are closely tracking how the case may reshape regional alignments.