MEXICO CITY (AP) — As uncertainty continues to engulf Venezuela, interim President Delcy Rodríguez has taken over in the absence of her ally, President Nicolás Maduro, who was captured by the United States during a nighttime military operation. Rodríguez has expressed her willingness to "collaborate" with the Trump administration, indicating a potential shift in relations between the two nations.
Having served as Maduro's vice president since 2018, Rodríguez has overseen Venezuela's economy, heavily reliant on oil, and has been deeply involved with its controversial intelligence service. Her ascension to the presidential role follows a decision by Venezuela's high court and is supported by the country's military.
Rodríguez, a 56-year-old lawyer and politician, has a long-standing career representing the legacy of the late Hugo Chávez. As her interim presidency began to unfold, it remained uncertain whether she would align herself with the Trump administration or uphold the adversarial stance of her predecessor. This uncertainty was exacerbated by Trump's warnings that she would face severe consequences if she did not comply with U.S. demands for control over Venezuela’s oil facilities and infrastructure.
In a televised address following her rise to power, Rodríguez condemned the U.S. government's actions as "atrocious" and reiterated that Maduro remains Venezuela's legitimate leader. However, the following day, she appeared to soften her tone via Instagram, suggesting a desire for "respectful relations" with Trump aimed at mutual development within international law.
Rodríguez’s unexpected rise to interim president surprised many after Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had established communication with her and described her as someone the administration could work with. In contrast, Rubio characterized the current Venezuelan government under Rodríguez as "illegitimate," given the lack of free and fair elections in the country.
Her professional background is notable; educated in the United Kingdom and France, Rodríguez has held several positions in the Maduro administration, including economic minister and foreign affairs minister. Despite previous U.S. sanctions due to her actions against Venezuelan democracy, she maintained strong connections with certain Republicans and figures in the oil industry who opposed U.S.-sponsored regime change.
Rodríguez's governance faces challenges regarding her duration in power and collaboration with the Trump administration. Experts suggest her initial hardline stance may be a strategy to maintain her image with leftist supporters after the capture of Maduro, indicating an evolving dynamic within the Venezuelan government. The Venezuelan constitution stipulates that an election must occur within 30 days whenever the president is deemed "permanently unavailable" to serve, as was strictly observed upon Chávez’s death in 2013. However, the Supreme Court's recent ruling on Maduro's situation classified it as "temporary," potentially allowing Rodríguez to extend her leadership beyond the specified electoral timeline.
As she navigates her role, Rodríguez will need to unite various factions within the socialist party while preparing for political challenges that may arise. Her close relationship with Venezuela's military, which historically influences political stability, could play a pivotal role in her administration’s future direction.
