URGENT UPDATE: Delcy Rodriguez has just been appointed as Venezuela’s acting president following a shocking military operation that captured President Nicolas Maduro. This unprecedented shift comes as US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning: Rodriguez must cooperate with Washington or face severe consequences.
Rodriguez, 56, assumed her new role after the Venezuelan Supreme Court’s decision on October 21, 2023, ordering her to lead for the next 90 days. Trump warned that if she does not align with US interests, she will “pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.” This warning escalates the already tense political climate in Venezuela.
In her first address following Maduro’s capture, Rodriguez, previously dubbed a “tiger” for her fierce support of his socialist regime, condemned the US operation as a blatant violation of international law. “There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolas Maduro,” she declared defiantly while chairing a session of the National Defense Council, surrounded by senior officials.
Despite Trump’s claims that Rodriguez had spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and was open to US cooperation, her rhetoric paints a different picture. In a televised statement, she asserted, “We will never again be slaves, nor a colony of any empire.” This stark contrast highlights the deepening rift between her administration and the US government.
Trump’s strategy includes deploying major US oil companies to invest billions in Venezuela, targeting the country’s severely damaged infrastructure. Rodriguez, who also serves as Venezuela’s finance and oil minister, has fostered connections with American oil interests that oppose interventionist policies. Her position as a key figure in Maduro’s government raises questions about the future of US-Venezuela relations.
The situation has plunged Venezuela into a constitutional crisis, with no clear resolution in sight. According to Articles 233 and 234 of Venezuela’s constitution, the vice president assumes presidential duties in the event of the president’s absence. However, the circumstances surrounding Maduro’s capture complicate whether a new election must be held within a month.
The Venezuelan military has recognized Rodriguez as the acting leader, with Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez endorsing the Supreme Court ruling. However, opposition figures maintain that the 2024 elections were fraudulent, backing former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner. This stance is supported by regional governments and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who was awarded last year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
As the international community watches closely, the next steps for Rodriguez and her government remain uncertain. The pressure from the US and the internal opposition could lead to significant changes in Venezuela’s political landscape.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation develops. The world is watching how Delcy Rodriguez navigates these treacherous waters in an increasingly polarized environment.
