BREAKING: Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, is under intense scrutiny following a stark warning from US President Donald Trump. In a statement made earlier today, Trump cautioned Rodriguez that she would ‘pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro’ if she fails to align with US interests regarding the oil-rich nation.
Rodriguez, 56, was appointed acting president following a ruling from Venezuela’s Supreme Court during a chaotic political landscape. This unprecedented shift comes after the capture of President Nicolas Maduro in a predawn US military operation, leaving the country in a state of constitutional crisis.
In her new role, Rodriguez faces mounting pressure from the Trump administration, which has signaled plans to ‘run’ Venezuela for an unspecified period, deploying US oil companies to invest billions into the nation’s deteriorating infrastructure. The urgency of the situation is palpable, as Rodriguez, who is also the Minister of Finance and Oil, must navigate the treacherous waters of both domestic and international politics.
Rodriguez, described by Maduro as a ‘tiger’ for her fierce defense of socialism, has publicly condemned the US military intervention. In a National Defense Council meeting held shortly after Maduro’s capture, she reiterated her commitment to her predecessor, stating, ‘There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolas Maduro.’
However, Trump’s remarks suggest a contrasting narrative. He claimed Rodriguez has been in communication with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, implying she is willing to cooperate with US strategies to restore Venezuela’s economy. Yet, in a televised address, Rodriguez firmly rejected this notion, asserting, ‘The Venezuelan people will never again be slaves, that we will never again be a colony of any empire.’
As the situation unfolds, constitutional expert José Manuel Romano emphasized Rodriguez’s significant role within the Venezuelan government, noting that she enjoys Maduro’s ‘full trust’. Meanwhile, the military has recognized her as the acting leader, with Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez supporting the Supreme Court’s ruling.
This extraordinary power shift raises critical questions about Venezuela’s political future. Under Articles 233 and 234 of the Venezuelan constitution, a new election must be called within a month if the president is absent, yet the legitimacy of such a process is now under scrutiny due to foreign military intervention.
Opposition factions continue to challenge Rodriguez’s authority, arguing that the 2024 elections were fraudulent. They support former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia as the legitimate winner, a position bolstered by several regional governments and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, a recent Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
The coming days will be crucial for Rodriguez and Venezuela as both domestic and international players watch closely. The implications of Trump’s warning and the US’s planned involvement could drastically alter the landscape of Venezuelan politics and its global standing.
As this developing story unfolds, it raises significant concerns about the future of democracy and sovereignty in Venezuela. Stay tuned for real-time updates as the situation progresses.
