Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez’s Location in Question After U.S. Seizes Maduro

By James Morley III | Saturday, 03 January 2026 04:26 PM EST

Conflicting reports emerged Saturday regarding the whereabouts of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez following U.S. authorities’ capture of former leader Nicolas Maduro, with online speculation suggesting she had fled to Russia.

Russian officials swiftly denied these claims, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stating unequivocally that Rodriguez did not travel to Russia and is not in Moscow. Moscow further clarified that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke with Rodriguez by telephone on January 3, not in person, directly contradicting reports of her seeking refuge abroad.

President Donald Trump reported that Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized during the night after U.S. forces disrupted power and command-and-control systems across Venezuela’s capital, and were taken into U.S. custody to face narcoterrorism charges in the Southern District of New York.

In a statement, Zakharova noted that Russia’s embassy in Caracas was not damaged during U.S. strikes and no Russian citizens were injured. She confirmed embassy staff remain safe and in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities. Additionally, Zakharova stated that Lavrov and Rodriguez spoke by telephone on January 3, during which Lavrov expressed solidarity with Venezuela and emphasized Russia’s support for dialogue and continued strategic cooperation between the two nations.

The uncertainty surrounding Rodriguez’s location has intensified as U.S. authorities expand legal action against the Maduro family. Maduro’s son, Nicolas Ernesto Maduro Guerra, known as “The Prince,” is now charged alongside his parents in connection with what U.S. officials describe as the trafficking of thousands of tons of cocaine. While Washington has not independently confirmed Rodriguez’s location, Russia’s denial underscores growing international tension and competing narratives following Maduro’s arrest, as Venezuela’s political future remains unsettled.