1:21Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses the media, accompanied by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and CIA Director John Ratcliffe, after U.S. military actions in Venezuela, at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 3, 2026. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
A preliminary transcript of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" airing on Sunday, January 4, 2026, on ABC News is provided below. This version may not represent the final text, may be revised, and could contain minor transcription errors. For previous show transcripts, visit the "This Week" transcript archive.
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ANNOUNCER: "THIS WEEK" with George Stephanopoulos begins right now.
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GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS, ABC NEWS ANCHOR: Regime change.
GEN. DAN CAINE, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: The United States military executed an apprehension operation in Caracas, Venezuela.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his spouse have been seized by U.S. forces as extensive strikes shake Venezuela’s capital.
President Trump asserts that the U.S. will take control of the nation.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Because we will essentially manage it until a proper transition can occur.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Maduro is now in U.S. custody. Democrats raise concerns over the operation.
REP. SETH MOULTON (D-MA): Perhaps this is merely about the oil, and he’s attempting to take their oil. But we’re uncertain because we cannot trust what the president says.
STEPHANOPOULOS: The shocking assault follows months of military buildup in the area and numerous lethal strikes on suspected drug boats.
SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO: Nicolas Maduro had several chances to avert this.
STEPHANOPOULOS: This morning, global reactions are pouring in. Is Venezuela on the brink of a new phase, or is it about to descend into chaos? We’ll provide comprehensive team coverage this morning.
Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and our influential roundtable will join us.
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ANNOUNCER: From ABC News, it’s “THIS WEEK.” Here now, George Stephanopoulos.
STEPHANOPOULOS: Good morning and welcome to “THIS WEEK.”
Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, having been ousted from office by Army Delta Forces under President Trump’s orders.
This was the scene as Maduro arrived in New York to face drug trafficking allegations. President Trump and his team assert it was a lawful law enforcement operation, yet the military mission lacked congressional approval. Moreover, President Trump announced yesterday that the U.S. will govern Venezuela and seize control of its oil resources.
The pressing question now is, what does it entail for the U.S. to oversee Venezuela? Will American troops be required? For how long, and at what expense? How will Venezuela, the U.S. Congress, and the international community respond?
We’re set to explore all the ramifications this morning. Chief global affairs anchor Martha Raddatz will lead us off.
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MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC NEWS CHIEF GLOBAL
Sourse: abcnews.go.com