Delcy Rodriguez has stepped in as Venezuela’s acting president and is signaling a desire for “cooperation” with the United States following the capture of her predecessor, Nicolas Maduro.
Shortly after the Trump administration announced Rodriguez’s new role, the interim president stated that her government is looking to establish a cooperative relationship with the United States.
“We urge the U.S. government to engage in a collaborative agenda focused on mutual development within international law, aiming to foster the lasting coexistence of our nations,” she remarked.
Maduro, criticized as an illegitimate and authoritarian leader for manipulating elections to cling to power, was apprehended by U.S. military forces on drug-terrorism charges, with a hefty $50 million bounty placed on him.
Reports indicate that U.S. courts previously “accused” Maduro of being a principal player in the Sunshine Cartel, a group involved in cocaine trafficking that aimed to inundate the United States with drugs to jeopardize public health.
As noted by various sources, Rodriguez has been Maduro’s vice president since 2018, managing much of the nation’s oil-driven economy. She is viewed as a key figure within the Maduro administration and is seen as a potential presidential successor.
Current leadership, which appears to be a continuation of Maduro’s regime, remains under scrutiny as U.S. officials, including President Trump, are expressing their intent to pressure the Venezuelan government to adhere to a more favorable agenda for the oil-rich country.
The Trump administration indicated on Sunday that Rodriguez could face even harsher repercussions than Maduro if she fails to meet U.S. expectations during the transition.
“If she doesn’t take the right actions, she will incur very severe consequences, potentially worse than those faced by Maduro,” the president conveyed during a phone call.
