Following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces in a military operation on March 7, 2024, Venezuela’s military has recognized Delcy Rodriguez as the acting leader of the country. The endorsement came from Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez, who supported a ruling from the Supreme Court that appointed Rodriguez as interim president for a period of 90 days.
Political Landscape Shifts After Military Operation
Rodriguez, who has served as Maduro’s vice president since 2018, is next in the line of presidential succession. In her role, she has overseen Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy and managed the country’s feared intelligence service. The high court’s decision mandated her to assume the interim presidency following Maduro’s removal from Caracas.
In a statement, President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. administration had communicated with Rodriguez, indicating her willingness to cooperate with U.S. interests. He stated that she is “essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.” Rodriguez’s past has been contentious; she faced U.S. sanctions during Trump’s first term for her involvement in the erosion of democratic processes in Venezuela.
Rodriguez condemned Maduro’s capture, describing it as “barbaric” and labeling the operation an “illegal and illegitimate kidnapping.” In a televised address, she emphasized that U.S. actions constituted an attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty and demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Calls for Dialogue Amid Tensions
Despite her strong condemnation of the U.S. operation, Rodriguez expressed a willingness for dialogue with the Trump administration, aiming to reassure supporters of the ruling party. “Here, we have a government with clarity, and I repeat… we are willing to have respectful relations,” she stated, acknowledging the need for a constructive relationship following the U.S. intervention.
Trump, in an interview, issued a warning to Rodriguez, indicating that failing to align with U.S. expectations could result in severe consequences. “If she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” he remarked.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the ongoing discussions with Rodriguez as “delicate and complicated,” stressing the necessity for mature statesmanship. He reiterated that while the U.S. goals remain unchanged, the dynamics have shifted with Rodriguez in a position of authority.
As the political landscape in Venezuela evolves, Maduro and Flores were transported to New York, where they face federal charges related to drug trafficking and alleged connections with designated terrorist organizations, claims that Maduro has publicly denied. A video shared by a White House account depicted Maduro being escorted by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents.
Padrino Lopez also addressed the aftermath of the military operation, stating that several of Maduro’s bodyguards were killed during the U.S. raid, although he did not specify the number of casualties. Venezuelan authorities have yet to release an official count of those injured or killed during the operation.
Trump confirmed that while some U.S. personnel sustained injuries during the operation, there were no fatalities among U.S. forces. Padrino Lopez urged Venezuelan citizens to resume normal activities, including work and education, as he called for the nation to follow its constitutional path.
The implications of these developments continue to unfold, as Venezuela grapples with the challenges of political transition and international relations in the wake of this significant military intervention.
