The State Department says it has achieved what officials describe as "total compliance" from Venezuela's interim government in coordinating humanitarian relief operations, following magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that struck the northern region of the South American nation last week.

The death toll from the twin quakes stands at nearly 2,000 and continues to rise, prompting a major U.S. response under an administration that successfully took former leader Nicolás Maduro into custody in January during a nighttime special forces operation at his palace in Caracas.

"We have seen total compliance from the interim authorities in Venezuela as a result of the unprecedented response by the United States to these deadly earthquakes," a State Department official told Fox News Digital Tuesday. "Every request we have made has been immediately granted and in turn, we have seen an incredible outpouring of support from the Venezuelan people towards Americans on the ground."

What the Left Is Saying

Progressive Democrats have condemned the Trump administration's handling of Venezuela, arguing that the January capture of Maduro was unconstitutional and violated international law.

"Trump's illegal and unprovoked bombing of Venezuela and kidnapping of its president are grave violations of international law and the U.S. Constitution. These are the actions of a rogue state," Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., wrote on social media following Maduro's arrest in January. "The American people do not want another regime change war abroad."

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., warned that the operation risked violating international law, while Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., argued that Maduro's contested election does not provide legal justification for U.S. military action.

"Maduro's illegitimate election does not give the president the power to invade without congressional approval, nor does it create a national security justification. That contention is laughable," Murphy said.

What the Right Is Saying

The Trump administration has defended its actions as necessary to combat drug trafficking and corruption while providing critical humanitarian assistance during the natural disaster crisis.

The State Department official emphasized that U.S. military logistics support has complemented civilian relief efforts, with Urban Search-and-Rescue teams conducting life-saving operations alongside Venezuelan authorities.

Administration officials have made clear that cooperation with interim President Delcy Rodríguez is temporary in nature. The Supreme Court installed Rodríguez as Venezuela's leader following Maduro's arrest on Jan. 3 during a U.S. special forces operation that penetrated his palace and overwhelmed his security detail. Maduro remains in a U.S. jail awaiting trial on narco-terrorism and gun charges.

What the Numbers Show

The Trump administration has mobilized $150 million in humanitarian relief for earthquake response operations.

A Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) composed of more than 250 personnel has been deployed, including three specialized Urban Search-and-Rescue (USAR) teams performing life-saving rescue operations.

Nearly 2,000 people have died as a result of the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela last week, with the death toll continuing to rise.

Maduro was taken into custody on Jan. 3 following a U.S. special forces nighttime operation at his palace in Caracas. He is currently held in a U.S. facility awaiting trial.

The Bottom Line

The earthquake relief mission represents an unusual moment of cooperation between Washington and Caracas, coming months after the dramatic arrest of Maduro during a U.S. military operation that has drawn criticism from progressive lawmakers who question its legality under both domestic and international law.

While the State Department reports smooth coordination with Venezuela's interim government, officials have emphasized that this cooperation is temporary in nature and does not represent recognition of Delcy Rodríguez as a permanent solution to Venezuela's political crisis. U.S.-Venezuela diplomatic relations have been restored following the January events, though future negotiations over the country's massive oil reserves, estimated at $40 trillion, remain uncertain.

What happens next depends on how Venezuelan authorities manage recovery efforts in coming weeks and whether Congress will seek to weigh in on the broader implications of Maduro's arrest for executive war powers.