Venezuela’s Rodríguez Becomes President; US Warns It Is in Charge

Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s former Vice President, was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president on Jan. 3, pledging continuity with Nicolás Maduro’s political project even as the United States said her hold on power would depend on whether she meets Washington’s expectations following Maduro’s capture in a US military operation.

During a session of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Rodríguez condemned the military action that resulted in Maduro’s capture and the detention of his wife, Cilia Flores. “I come with pain over the kidnapping of two heroes who are being held hostage: President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodríguez, told legislators. She also pledged to prioritize national stability. “I swear to work tirelessly to guarantee the peace and the spiritual, economic, and social tranquillity of our people.”

The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by Rodríguez’s brother, National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez. Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, was also present and held a copy of the Venezuelan Constitution. Senior figures from Maduro’s inner circle, including Minister of the Interior Diosdado Cabello and Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, attended the event.

The ceremony coincided with Maduro’s court appearance in New York, where he faced an arraignment on multiple criminal charges. US prosecutors accuse him of using state authority to facilitate the trafficking of thousands of tonnes of cocaine into North America. Appearing before the court on Monday, Maduro insisted he remained the country’s legitimate leader, declaring, “I am still president.”

US President Donald Trump has indicated it is prepared to engage with Rodríguez for now. Trump, however, suggested her position could be temporary if she fails to meet US expectations. “If she does not do what is right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,” Trump said.

Trump said his administration intended “to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.” He later reinforced that message while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One.

“Do not ask me who is in charge, because I will give you an answer that will be very controversial. We are in charge,” he said, adding that Rodríguez was “cooperating” and that US officials were engaging with “the people who just got sworn in.”

Washington’s apparent readiness to allow Rodríguez to remain in office has drawn scrutiny. A vice president since 2018, she is widely regarded as a committed “chavista,” aligned with the left-wing movement founded by Hugo Chávez. Over the years, she has held multiple senior posts, including foreign minister.

Republican lawmakers have argued that dealing with Rodríguez reflects political reality rather than recognition. “We do not recognize Delcy Rodriguez as the legitimate ruler of Venezuela. We did not recognize Nicolás Maduro as a legitimate ruler,” Senator Tom Cotton told CNN.

“It is a fact that she and other indicted and sanctioned officials are in Venezuela. They have control over the military and security services. We have to deal with that fact. That does not make them a legitimate leader.”

When asked about elections, Trump avoided offering a timeline, instead emphasising reconstruction and economic control, particularly over Venezuela’s oil sector. “We are going to run everything. We are going to run it; fix it. We will have elections at the right time,” he said. “But the main thing you have to fix: It is a broken country. There is no money.”