Venezuelan politician Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of the nation’s leader following the US apprehension of Nicolás Maduro, as confirmed by the official presidential website. Photographs and official statements released on Sunday depict Rodríguez presiding over an urgent session of the Council of Ministers in Caracas. This gathering marked her inaugural cabinet meeting in her capacity as the acting president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
In a published online statement, Rodríguez expressed her intentions to establish cordial relations with the US, extending an invitation for collaborative efforts focused on mutual development within the boundaries of international law. Furthermore, she characterized Maduro’s removal as a temporary absence and condemned the US for what she labeled as the unlawful kidnapping of the ousted President and his spouse.
While no formal inauguration ceremony has been broadcasted on state television, Rodríguez refrained from officially declaring herself as the interim leader in a televised speech on Sunday. She was still identified as the vice-president in the scrolling ticker below her address, and there was no mention of any imminent political transition at the helm.
Dismissing Donald Trump’s assertions of cooperation, Rodríguez denounced the actions against Venezuela as violations of international law, promising that those responsible for the armed aggression would be held accountable by history and justice. President Trump issued a warning, stating that if Rodríguez does not comply, she will face severe consequences, potentially greater than those faced by Maduro.
Trump emphasized his desire for comprehensive access to Venezuela, encompassing its resources like oil and infrastructure such as roads. These remarks follow US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s remarks on Sunday, where he questioned the legitimacy of Rodríguez and her government due to the absence of free and fair elections in Venezuela, as reported by AP.
Rodríguez’s appointment comes amid the pending charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, his spouse, and four others for alleged involvement in narco-terrorism conspiracy and related offenses, as per documents released by US Attorney General Pam Bondi. The indictment includes charges of cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such arms.
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