The Venezuelan government has ordered police to launch an immediate nationwide search for individuals accused of supporting the recent United States-backed attack that led to the ousting of President Nicolás Maduro.
The order was dated Saturday, January 3, and was signed by Maduro, who was captured that morning by the US military and is currently detained in New York.
“The national, state and municipal police bodies must immediately undertake the search and capture throughout the national territory of any person involved in the promotion or support of the armed attack of the United States of America against the territory of the Republic (…) with a view to its trial,” the order reads.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez endorsed the decree, which was published Monday, as Maduro faces charges relating to alleged possession and trafficking of drug and weapons.
The decree was prepared and announced in late September 2025, weeks after the start of the US naval deployment in the country, but its content was unknown at the time.
The text also orders “the militarization of public service infrastructure, the oil industry and other basic industries of the State”, while the personnel of such services or companies “will be temporarily subject to the military regime”.
Maduro passed a law in 2024 that punishes Venezuelans who “support calls for sanctions or any foreign damage” with penalties, including lifetime political disqualification and property confiscation.
In September, the then vice-president explained that activating the decree would allow the government to close land, sea and air borders and “activate all kinds of economic, political and social plans” to “guarantee national life”.
Meanwhile, the ousted Venezuelan leader and his wife have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
