US Southern Command leader visits Venezuela following Maduro capture

The head of the US Southern Command traveled to Venezuela to meet with the country’s interim president, just weeks after US forces captured former leader Nicolás Maduro.

Wednesday’s trip, described as a surprise visit, was the first to Venezuela by a U.S. military delegation since the Jan. 3 raid to recover Maduro, according to to Reuters.

“Commander of the United States Southern Command, Marine General Francis L. Donovan, Charge d’affaires of the Venezuelan Affairs Unit, Ambassador Laura F. Dogu, and Assistant Secretary of War for Home Defense and the Americas, Joseph M. Humire, met with Venezuelan interim authorities in Caracas,” the United States Southern Command said in a statement.

“During the meeting, the leaders reiterated the United States’ commitment to a free, secure, and prosperous Venezuela for the Venezuelan people, the United States, and the Western Hemisphere,” the statement added.

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U.S. Marine Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, engages with U.S. Marines assigned to monitor U.S. Embassy facilities in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (US Southern Command/Venezuela Affairs Unit)

“Discussions focused on the security environment, measures to ensure the implementation of President Donald Trump’s policies. three phase plan – particularly the stabilization of Venezuela – and the importance of shared security throughout the Western Hemisphere,” US Central Command also said.

The United States Embassy in Venezuela added in a post on that it was a “historic day” with the aim of “advancing the goal of a Venezuela aligned with the United States.”

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U.S. Navy Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Charge d’Affaires, Venezuela Affairs Unit, Ambassador Laura F. Dogu, and Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of War for Homeland Defense and the Americas Joseph M. Humire pose for a photo in Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026. (US Southern Command/Venezuela Affairs Unit)

The Venezuelan government said the U.S. delegation met with interim President Delcy Rodriguez, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, with both sides agreeing to coordinate on drug trafficking, terrorism and migration, Reuters reported. The Associated Press also confirmed that Donovan, who directs U.S. military operations in Latin America, met with Rodriguez.

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez waves after bidding farewell to U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright following their meeting at the Miraflores Palace in Caracas, Venezuela, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (Ariana Cubillos/AP)

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“The meeting reaffirms that diplomacy must be the mechanism to resolve disputes and address issues of bilateral and regional interests,” Venezuelan Communications Minister Miguel Angel Pérez also said on X.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.