US President Donald Trump recently claimed that Delcy Rodriguez has assumed the presidency of Venezuela following the reported capture of Nicolas Maduro by US forces. This assertion, made during a press conference, has not been confirmed by the Venezuelan government, which has remained silent on Rodriguez’s supposed swearing-in. Notably, sources indicated that Rodriguez was in Russia at the time, a claim that was subsequently denied by the Russian state news agency.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding her current status, Rodriguez’s potential rise to power highlights the ongoing turmoil in Venezuela. Trump stated that the US would play a significant role in the nation’s future, and he noted that Rodriguez expressed a willingness to support efforts to “make Venezuela great again.” Maduro has long regarded Rodriguez as a staunch ally, referring to her as a “tiger” for her unwavering defense of his socialist administration.
Rodriguez’s Political Journey and Influence
Delcy Rodriguez, a Caracas native born on May 18, 1969, is the daughter of left-wing guerrilla fighter Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, who founded the revolutionary Liga Socialista party in the 1970s. Over the past decade, she has ascended rapidly through Venezuela’s political hierarchy. Her roles as finance and oil minister, alongside her vice-presidential duties, have positioned her as a pivotal figure in managing the country’s struggling economy, granting her significant influence over the private sector.
Rodriguez has implemented orthodox economic policies to combat rampant inflation, a pressing issue that has plagued Venezuela for years. In a recent audio message broadcast on state television, she called on the US government to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife, illustrating the precarious situation surrounding the Venezuelan leadership. However, her exact whereabouts have remained unclear.
With a law degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela, Rodriguez has held various significant positions within the government, including serving as Communication and Information Minister from 2013 to 2014. Her tenure as foreign minister from 2014 to 2017 was marked by attempts to engage with international trade blocs, notably during Venezuela’s suspension from the Mercosur trade bloc.
Recent Developments and Challenges Ahead
In 2017, Rodriguez was appointed to lead a pro-government Constituent Assembly that expanded Maduro’s powers, reflecting her critical role in the administration’s strategy. She became vice president in June 2018, with Maduro praising her as a “young woman, brave, seasoned, daughter of a martyr, revolutionary and tested in a thousand battles” on social media platform X.
In August 2024, Rodriguez’s responsibilities expanded to include the oil ministry, a significant portfolio given the escalating US sanctions impacting Venezuela’s vital oil sector. These sanctions have placed additional pressure on an economy already facing severe challenges. As Rodriguez navigates her dual roles, her decisions will likely shape the future of Venezuela amid ongoing international scrutiny and internal strife.
As the situation continues to evolve, the global community remains watchful of developments in Venezuela, particularly the actions and statements from figures like Delcy Rodriguez, who embodies the complexities of the nation’s political landscape.
