U.S. In Venezuela, Future Of Venezuela, Maduro In NYC Court

Up First from NPR

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4.5 • 52.8K Ratings

🗓️ 5 January 2026

⏱️ 14 minutes

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Summary

President Trump says the United States will run Venezuela after U.S. forces seized Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez shifts from defiance to calls for cooperation as the White House ramps up pressure and threatens further action.
And Nicolás Maduro is set to appear in a New York courtroom, facing drug trafficking, weapons, and narco-terrorism charges that could test the reach of U.S. law overseas.

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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Andrew Sussman, Tara Neill, Krishnadev Calamur, Mohamad ElBardicy, and HJ Mai.

It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.

We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.

(0:00) Introduction
(01:54) U.S. In Venezuela
(05:49) Future Of Venezuela
(09:46) Maduro In NYC Court

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Transcript

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0:00.0	President Trump declares the United States is in charge of Venezuela.
0:06.0	Trump also warned Venezuela's new leadership to fall in line.
0:09.0	If they don't behave, we will do a second shot.
0:11.0	How does a White House plan to run the country without troops on the ground?
0:14.0	I'm Steve Enskeep with A. Martinez, and this is up first from NPR News.
0:19.0	After making defiant remarks against the United States, Venezuela's This is up first from NPR News.
0:28.0	After making defiant remarks against the United States, Venezuela's acting leader is now bowing to U.S. threats.
0:33.3	Nicolas Maduro's former Vice President Del C. Rodriguez is extending an invitation of cooperation.
0:36.2	How far is she actually willing to go?
0:38.9	And Maduro is due in a New York courtroom today.
0:42.0	He's facing drug, weapon, and narco-terrorism charges.
0:45.6	Can the U.S. legally try a foreign leader seized overseas?
0:46.4	Stay with us.
0:48.1	We've got all the news you need to start your day.
0:59.1	This message comes from Wise. the app for international people using money around the globe.
1:04.4	You can send, spend, and receive in up to 40 currencies with only a few simple taps.
1:11.0	Be smart. Get Wise. Download the Wise app today or visit wise.com. T's and Cs apply.
1:16.9	Speaking of reporters on Air Force One on Sunday, President Trump was asked who's in charge of Venezuela.
1:21.5	Don't ask me who's in charge because I'll give you an answer and it'll be very controversial.
1:22.6	What does that mean?
1:24.0	We're in charge.
1:25.8	Okay, we still don't know what that means.
	...

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