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Venezuela live updates: Multiple detained Americans released, State Department says

This marks the first release of detained Americans since Maduro's ouster.

Last Updated: January 13, 2026, 10:27 PM EST

Deposed Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife appeared in a federal court in New York City last week following their capture by U.S. forces in a military operation in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.

Following the operation, President Donald Trump said that the U.S. would "run" Venezuela for an unspecified "period of time." Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has been sworn in as interim leader to lead the country.

Since the operation to capture Maduro, Trump has also issued threats against Cuba, Colombia and Mexico.

Jan 11, 2026, 5:59 AM EST

Venezuela 'in absolute calm,' ministry says in reaction to US alert

The Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the U.S. State Department's security alert is "based on fabricated accounts aimed at creating a perception of risk that does not exist."

The ministry said in a statement on social media late Saturday that Venezuela is "in absolute calm, peace, and stability," and that all weapons are in the government's control.

Police patrol near El Helicoide, headquarters of Venezuela's intelligence service and a detention center, in Caracas, Venezuela, Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
Matias Delacroix/AP

"The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reaffirms its commitment to the protection of peace, institutional stability, and the coexistence of the Venezuelan people," the statement said in Spanish.

The U.S. State Department had earlier warned U.S. citizens in Venezuela to leave immediately, saying in part that there were "of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States."

-ABC News' Anselm Gibbs

Jan 10, 2026, 5:31 PM EST

State Department warns US citizens to leave Venezuela immediately

The State Department warned U.S. citizens in Venezuela Saturday to leave immediately

"There are reports of groups of armed militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence of U.S. citizenship or support for the United States. Remain vigilant and exercise caution when traveling by road," the agency said in a statement.

The U.S. Embassy in Colombia issued a more detailed alert reaffirming that the U.S. has a Level Four "do not travel warning" for Venezuela, urging U.S. citizens not to travel to Venezuela.

-ABC News' Luis Martinez

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