According to a New York Times investigation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has become the de facto overseer of Venezuela’s finances and governance after the U.S. captured Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026. The U.S. Treasury collects revenue from Venezuelan exports and distributes it through private banks under Rubio’s conditions, while interim President Delcy Rodríguez reportedly submits social-media posts and interview requests to him or President Trump for approval. Trump declared that the United States would administer Venezuela until a transition that he described as “safe, appropriate, and prudent,” expecting this arrangement to last years. The U.S. has deployed 900 troops and nearly $400 million in aid, though June earthquakes that killed over 3,800 people complicated plans. The report highlights that Rodríguez’s government relies on these funds for salaries and currency stability, with elections postponed indefinitely at Rubio’s discretion.