Venezuela Accuses U.S. of Interference
Locale: UNITED STATES, VENEZUELA

Caracas, Venezuela - January 26th, 2026 - Tensions between Venezuela and the United States continue to escalate, with Venezuelan Communications Minister Delcy Rodriguez issuing a stark warning against perceived U.S. interference in the nation's internal affairs. Rodriguez's statements, delivered both via Twitter and a televised address, reinforce a long-standing narrative of U.S. meddling while highlighting the ongoing economic and political crisis gripping the South American nation.
The core of Rodriguez's accusation centers on the United States' relentless sanctions regime and broader attempts to destabilize Venezuela. She declared, "Venezuela has had enough of Yankee imperialism," a phrase intended to resonate deeply within Venezuelan society and galvanize opposition to Washington's policies. This sentiment reflects a broader narrative within the Maduro government, framing U.S. actions as a deliberate effort to undermine the nation's sovereignty and inflict suffering upon its people.
For years, the U.S. has publicly condemned Nicolas Maduro's leadership, citing concerns over human rights abuses, democratic backsliding, and corruption. This criticism has manifested in increasingly stringent economic sanctions targeting key sectors of the Venezuelan economy, including oil - the nation's primary export - as well as targeting high-ranking government officials. The Trump administration's policy of recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaido as the "interim president" further fueled the conflict, effectively denying Maduro's legitimacy in the eyes of the U.S. government.
While Guaido's claim to the presidency briefly garnered international support, Maduro remains firmly in power, bolstered by the continued loyalty of the Venezuelan military. However, his government faces an enormous challenge in navigating a profound economic and political crisis. Hyperinflation, shortages of essential goods and medicines, and widespread poverty have plagued Venezuela for years, prompting a significant exodus of citizens seeking better opportunities elsewhere. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these existing vulnerabilities.
Rodriguez specifically pointed to the sanctions as tools of economic coercion, arguing they are directly contributing to the suffering of the Venezuelan people. She characterized U.S. actions not as pressure tactics aimed at encouraging democratic reforms, but as a calculated effort to inflict harm and destabilize the country. Her televised address, aimed at rallying national unity, urged Venezuelans to "remain vigilant" against what she described as U.S. interference.
Experts on U.S.-Venezuela relations suggest that Washington's policy goals have been shifting in recent years. While initially focused on regime change, there are increasing calls within U.S. foreign policy circles to pursue a more nuanced approach that prioritizes humanitarian aid, the facilitation of democratic elections (even if those elections don't result in Maduro's ouster), and engagement with Venezuelan civil society. However, deep-seated distrust and divergent political ideologies continue to obstruct any meaningful dialogue.
The U.S. State Department has yet to formally respond to Rodriguez's accusations, a common pattern when facing such public condemnations from the Venezuelan government. Typically, U.S. officials reiterate their commitment to promoting democracy and human rights in Venezuela, often indirectly criticizing Maduro's governance without explicitly acknowledging Venezuela's claims of interference.
The current situation highlights the complex and deeply entrenched relationship between the two nations. Venezuela's accusations of U.S. meddling, while often framed within a specific political context, resonate with historical anxieties about foreign influence in the region. The future of U.S.-Venezuela relations remains uncertain, dependent on the evolving political landscape within Venezuela and the shifting priorities of U.S. foreign policy.
Read the Full National Post Article at:
[ https://nationalpost.com/news/world/venezuela-has-had-enough-of-u-s-meddling-delcy-rodriguez-says ]