Washington, 6 January 2026 (dpa/MIA) - US President Donald Trump said he does not expect a new election in Venezuela within the next 30 days.

"We have to fix the country first. You can't have an election," he told US broadcaster NBC News. "It's going to take a period of time," he said, adding: "We have to nurse the country back to health."

Venezuela's government continues to regard Nicolás Maduro, who was detained by US forces on Saturday, as the country's legitimate president. Under the Venezuelan constitution, in the event of a permanent presidential absence, the vice president assumes office and must organize a new election within 30 days.

It remains unclear whether the new leadership considers the current situation a permanent absence.

Delcy Rodríguez, who had served as Maduro's vice president since 2018, was sworn in as acting president on Monday. The Supreme Court had tasked her over the weekend with temporarily assuming the duties of the head of state.

US forces attacked targets in Venezuela over the weekend and captured Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. They were brought to New York on Monday to face charges related to alleged drug offences.

Photo: dpa