Trump: Rodríguez may end up worse than Maduro

US President Donald Trump has warned Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez that she could face even harsher punishment than detained President Nicolás Maduro if she does not do the "right thing". The statement was made in an interview with The Atlantic magazine.

At a press conference following the US military intervention in Venezuela, Trump claimed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Rodríguez, who reportedly expressed a willingness to "do what we think is necessary, in short, to make Venezuela great again."

He also said that the U.S. will run Venezuela until power can be safely and properly handed over to the new leadership.

On Saturday, Maduro was detained during a U.S. military intervention that killed much of the president's security detail, according to Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino.

Although he did not specify the exact number of casualties, he supported Rodríguez's declaration as interim president and announced the activation of armed forces across the country to protect Venezuela's sovereignty.

(reuters, mja)