President Donald Trump confirmed on Saturday that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has stepped into a leadership role following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces. Speaking to reporters, Trump stated that Rodríguez was “just sworn in” and indicated she is prepared to engage in discussions about Venezuela’s future.
At a press conference, Trump said, “Marco [Rubio] is working on that directly. He just had a conversation with her, and she’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.” This statement signals a significant pivot in the U.S. approach to the troubled South American nation, which has faced political and economic turmoil for years.
Rodríguez has served as Maduro’s vice president since 2018 and took on the role of oil minister in 2024. Throughout her political career, she has held multiple high-ranking positions within the Maduro regime. Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, currently leads the socialist-controlled National Assembly, making them one of the most influential sibling alliances in Venezuela’s government.
The events surrounding Maduro’s capture have raised concerns and questions about Venezuela’s leadership structure. Trump pointed out, “Because for us to just leave, who’s gonna take over? I mean, there’s nobody to take over.” He emphasized the necessity of U.S. involvement to ensure stability, stating that Rodríguez is now essentially acting as president following her recent swearing-in.
Trump described the conversation between Rubio and Rodríguez as constructive, noting that she expressed a willingness to cooperate. “She had a long conversation with Marco and she said, ‘We’ll do whatever you need.’ I think she was quite gracious, but she really doesn’t have a choice,” Trump remarked.
While reports surfaced indicating that Rodríguez might have been in Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry dismissed these claims as “fake.” She has also demanded that the U.S. government provide “proof of life” for Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who were both captured during the operation.
In 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on Rodríguez, her brother, and other Maduro regime officials as part of efforts to hold accountable those involved in the ongoing crisis in Venezuela. The European Union has similarly sanctioned Rodríguez for her role in the government.
As the U.S. consolidates its position in Venezuela, Trump stated that the nation would be closely monitored and indicated that U.S. oil companies would be involved in revitalizing Venezuela’s faltering oil infrastructure. “We’re making a decision on what’s next for Venezuela, and we’ll be involved in it very much,” he added.
The developments in Venezuela underscore a critical moment in the region’s geopolitics, as the U.S. seeks to reshape the leadership and direction of a country long plagued by instability and strife.
