US control over Venezuela has deepened since the January 2026 targeted operation that captured Nicolás Maduro, leaving interim leader Delcy Rodríguez in place under significant US influence on oil exports, security cooperation, and policy. Recent developments include an August 2026 oil agreement granting the US a major stake in Venezuelan reserves and early September naval airstrikes on suspected drug vessels, including the first reported strike on a boat from Venezuela. These actions, alongside joint operations against criminal networks and adjusted sanctions, reflect ongoing pressure through targeted military and economic measures rather than large-scale ground forces. Upcoming factors include further congressional scrutiny of the transition timeline, potential escalation in counternarcotics operations, and any shifts in Rodríguez's compliance with US demands on elections or resource management.