Delcy Rodriguez Named Venezuela’s Interim President Following Maduro’s ‘Capture’

Caracas: Venezuela’s Supreme Court has directed Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume charge as Interim President, a day after the United States launched attacks on the South American nation and claimed to have “captured” President Nicolas Maduro and his wife.

In a ruling issued after the attack, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court said Rodriguez would take over the presidency to ensure administrative continuity and safeguard national stability.

“The office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in order to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defence of the Nation,” the court said in its order.

The court added that it would further deliberate on establishing a legal framework to ensure the continuity of the state, the functioning of the government, and the protection of national sovereignty in view of the President’s “forced absence.”

Rodriguez, 56, is regarded as one of the most influential figures within Venezuela’s socialist establishment. A close and long-time ally of Maduro, she has held several key portfolios, including Vice President, Finance Minister and Oil Minister, consolidating her authority over the country’s economic and strategic sectors amid stringent US sanctions and runaway inflation.

Maduro has often referred to Rodriguez as a “tiger” for her fierce and unwavering defence of his administration. Born in Caracas, she is the daughter of Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, a leftist guerrilla leader and founder of the Liga Socialista party. She studied law at the Central University of Venezuela and has risen rapidly through the political ranks over the past decade.

In June 2018, Maduro appointed her Vice President, announcing the decision on X and describing her as “a young woman, brave, seasoned, daughter of a martyr, revolutionary, and proven in countless battles.”

Her responsibilities expanded further in August 2024, when Maduro entrusted her with the oil ministry, placing her in charge of navigating the country’s vital energy sector through escalating US sanctions. She has since emerged as Venezuela’s principal economic authority.

US President Donald Trump said he had allowed Maduro’s Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez, who was sworn in as his successor, to remain in office. “She’s essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again,” Trump said.

Rodriguez, however, strongly rejected the US position, accusing Washington of aggression and alleging economic motives behind the move. “This regime change would also allow for the seizure of our energy, mineral and natural resources,” she said.

She also insisted that Maduro remains the legitimate leader of the country. “There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolas Maduro,” Rodriguez declared.

With inputs from IANS