Following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States in a military operation and his subsequent indictment, Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of interim president in Venezuela. The country’s high court mandated Rodríguez to take over as interim president, a decision supported by the Venezuelan military, and she was officially sworn in on Monday.
In her inaugural address, Rodríguez expressed regret for the suffering endured by the Venezuelan people due to what she referred to as an illegitimate military attack on their homeland. She also lamented the abduction of two individuals she described as heroes.
Prior to her ascension to the interim presidency, Rodríguez served as Maduro’s vice-president since 2018, overseeing significant aspects of Venezuela’s oil-dependent economy and intelligence services. She previously held the position of foreign minister from 2014 to 2017.
While U.S. President Donald Trump has been critical of the Maduro government since his first term, Rodríguez, along with other key officials in Maduro’s administration, now appears to wield control in Venezuela. Trump seems to have sidelined Venezuela’s conservative political opposition figures for the time being.
Rodríguez was previously subjected to U.S. sanctions during the early stages of the Trump administration in 2018, accused of aiding Maduro in maintaining power and reinforcing his authoritarian rule. Additionally, she faced sanctions from the Canadian government in 2017 on similar grounds.
Family long involved in politics
Delcy Rodríguez, a 56-year-old lawyer and politician, has dedicated her career to advancing the socialist agenda initiated by Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez. She held various governmental positions under Chávez’s regime and emerged as a prominent figure working alongside Maduro, eventually being viewed as his potential successor. Rodríguez notably served as the foreign affairs and petroleum minister, playing crucial roles in stabilizing Venezuela’s economy amidst rampant inflation and turmoil.
