UPDATE: In a shocking announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that Delcy Rodriguez has been “just sworn in” as the new president of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces. This claim has not been corroborated by the Venezuelan government, which has yet to confirm Rodriguez’s presidency.
Reports indicate that Rodriguez is currently in Russia, although the Russian state news agency has denied these claims. The urgency surrounding this situation escalates as Trump stated that the U.S. would actively be “running Venezuela” in the near future, citing Rodriguez’s willingness to implement necessary changes for the country’s revival.
Rodriguez, 56, has long been a pivotal figure in Venezuelan politics, known for her fierce loyalty to Maduro. She has been labeled a “tiger” for her staunch defense of his socialist regime. Her political career has been marked by significant roles, including serving as both finance and oil minister, giving her considerable influence over Venezuela’s struggling economy.
Earlier today, Rodriguez called on the U.S. government to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife. This audio message aired on state television, but her exact location remains unclear.
Born on May 18, 1969, in Caracas, Rodriguez is the daughter of Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, a left-wing guerrilla fighter who founded the revolutionary Liga Socialista party in the 1970s. She graduated from Universidad Central de Venezuela and quickly ascended the political ladder, serving as Communication and Information Minister from 2013 to 2014, and later as Foreign Minister until 2017.
In a notable incident, she attempted to crash a Mercosur trade bloc meeting in Buenos Aires, following Venezuela’s suspension from the group, showcasing her aggressive political style. Her tenure as the head of a pro-government Constituent Assembly, which expanded Maduro’s powers, began in 2017.
Appointed as vice president in June 2018, Maduro praised her as a “young woman, brave, seasoned, daughter of a martyr, revolutionary and tested in a thousand battles.” As of August 2024, she took on additional responsibilities as oil minister, where she faces the daunting task of managing escalating U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s oil industry.
As events unfold, the international community is watching closely. This development raises critical questions about Venezuela’s leadership and the potential for U.S. intervention in its affairs. What happens next remains uncertain, but the implications for Venezuelan citizens and the global geopolitical landscape could be profound.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.
