Venezuela Names Delcy Rodríguez Interim President After US Kidnaps Maduro

By Staff, Agencies

Venezuela’s National Assembly has appointed Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim president following the shocking US military operation that led to the abduction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

Rodríguez, who had served as Maduro’s vice president, was sworn in during a ceremony on Monday, declaring that she was acting on behalf of all Venezuelans in a time of crisis.

She expressed her sorrow over the kidnapping, calling it an attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty and referring to the detained Maduro and his wife as “heroes.” Thousands of Venezuelans rallied outside the legislature, demanding the release of their president and chanting support for Maduro.

The Venezuelan parliament condemned the US action, emphasizing its support for Rodríguez, while reaffirming their loyalty to Maduro. Rodríguez’s brother, Jorge Rodríguez, was re-elected as parliament speaker, solidifying the family’s grip on the nation’s leadership. Lawmakers echoed Maduro’s campaign slogan, “Let’s go Nico!” as they prepared for the 2024 elections.

The US operation, ordered by then-President Donald Trump, occurred early on a Saturday morning and has drawn global outrage. Senior lawmaker Fernando Soto Rojas condemned the act, pledging to do everything necessary to secure Maduro’s return to power. The Venezuelan Supreme Court swiftly backed Rodríguez’s assumption of the presidency, and the military expressed its full support as well.

Jorge Rodríguez vowed to use every means at his disposal to bring Maduro back to Venezuela’s presidential palace. Nicolás Maduro Guerra, Maduro’s son, also voiced support for the interim leadership, assuring the country that the Maduro family’s return was imminent.

While Rodríguez maintained that Maduro is still Venezuela’s legitimate president, she offered to cooperate with the US, despite Trump’s threats to Rodríguez, warning that she could face severe consequences if she did not adhere to US demands related to oil policy and other reforms.