Delcy Rodríguez, formerly Executive Vice President of Venezuela, has assumed interim leadership of the country after President Nicolás Maduro was detained by U.S. military forces. The transition occurred following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that led to Maduro's apprehension alongside his wife, Cilia Flores. Venezuelan officials, including Ms. Rodríguez, have condemned the operation as a violation of international law and the nation's sovereignty, while the U.S. has engaged in diplomatic exchanges with the interim leadership.
Interim Leadership and Constitutional Framework
Following the detention of President Nicolás Maduro, Executive Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed interim leadership of Venezuela on Saturday afternoon. Articles 233 and 234 of Venezuela's constitution stipulate that the vice president assumes presidential duties during a president’s temporary or absolute absence. The country’s Supreme Court subsequently announced on Saturday that Ms. Rodríguez would assume the role of interim president, stating she would serve for up to 90 days with the possibility of a six-month extension via a National Assembly vote. The court's statement did not address new elections.
Venezuelan Government's Response
Hours after the detention of President Maduro, Ms. Rodríguez chaired a National Defense Council session with ministers and senior officials. During this session, she demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and condemned the U.S. military operation. Addressing the council, she stated that the operation constituted a violation of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, urging Venezuelans to reject the action and calling for condemnation from governments across Latin America. She further called for unity among Latin American nations, stating that such uses of force against one country could be applied to others. Ms. Rodríguez also stated during a phone interview with state television channel VTV that the whereabouts of Maduro and Flores were unknown and demanded proof of their well-being. She insisted on Maduro’s continued leadership, stating, "There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolás Maduro Moros." She did not indicate any shift in policy or potential cooperation with the United States in her initial messages. She was also shown surrounded by civilian and military leaders.
Other key Venezuelan officials conveyed a unified stance. Defense Minister Gen. Vladimir Padrino López issued a public statement three hours after initial reports, calling for calm, supporting Maduro’s declaration of a state of emergency, and announcing the activation of national defense measures. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello appeared on state television to urge calm, highlight what he described as attacks on civilian-populated areas, and question potential international complicity. He called for supporters to mobilize to defend national sovereignty and issued warnings to those perceived as disloyal to the Bolivarian revolution.
Regional military and civilian leaders rejected the U.S. actions, affirming that Venezuela remained stable and reiterating loyalty to President Maduro and the government's socialist agenda. A 90-day state of emergency has been decreed, granting security forces authority to apprehend individuals involved in "promotion or support" of the U.S. military operation. Following calls from government officials, some rallies in support of the government occurred in Caracas, during which American flags were reportedly burned. However, many residents remained indoors due to security concerns. An explosion was reported at a military base, resulting in damage to nearby properties.
U.S. Statements and Diplomatic Engagement
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States would assume control of Venezuela, potentially in coordination with Delcy Rodríguez. He stated that Ms. Rodríguez was "essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again" and described a conversation between Ms. Rodríguez and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where Trump claimed she said, "We'll do whatever you need." President Trump also stated that all Venezuelan political and military figures should recognize that events affecting Maduro could similarly affect them if they did not act "fairly" towards the Venezuelan people. He issued warnings regarding Maduro holdovers like Cabello, suggesting potential further military action if they deviate from expected conduct. Trump did not commit to deploying U.S. troops but affirmed support for protecting and improving oil infrastructure.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Vice President Rodríguez. He indicated that the U.S. would assess the actions of Venezuelan officials before forming a judgment and expressed hope for their service to the country. Mr. Rubio outlined a three-phase plan for the country's future, with the final phase involving a transition to a more representative democratic government, though specific details were limited. He stated that new elections in Venezuela are not an immediate priority for the U.S., adding, "In the end, it will be up to the Venezuelan people to transform their country."
Analysts offered differing interpretations of these developments. Imdat Oner, a policy analyst, suggested Ms. Rodríguez's rise could indicate an understanding between the United States and key actors preparing for a post-Maduro scenario, potentially positioning her as a caretaker until a democratically elected leader is in place. Javier Corrales, a Venezuela expert, stated that the situation constituted "a kind of betraying of an electoral outcome" by not recognizing the 2024 results. John Polga-Hecimovich, a Venezuela scholar, commented that this approach could be seen as a "smart play by the Trump administration" to "run Venezuela and avoid chaos." Phil Gunson of the International Crisis Group predicted that interim President Rodríguez would seek to appease President Trump to maintain power while resisting democratic reforms.
Profiles of Key Figures
- Delcy Rodríguez (56): Interim President, previously Executive Vice President and Minister for Finance and Oil. She holds a law degree from the Central University of Venezuela and has been a prominent figure within chavismo for over two decades. Her roles include Minister of Communication and Information (2013-2014) and Foreign Minister (2014-2017). She was appointed Vice President in 2018 for Maduro's second term, a position she retained for his third presidential term, which began on January 10, 2025. Ms. Rodríguez has faced U.S. sanctions during Trump's first administration. She engaged in discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday and reportedly urged China to increase purchases of Venezuelan oil. Constitutional lawyer José Manuel Romano described her as a prominent figure with the president’s full trust, an effective operator with strong leadership skills, results-oriented, and possessing significant influence across the government apparatus.
- Jorge Rodríguez (60): Delcy Rodríguez's brother, head of the National Assembly, and a close advisor to President Maduro. A psychiatrist by profession, he has held several high-profile government positions, including vice president and communications minister. He has also acted as a negotiator for the Maduro government. He was re-elected as a legislator in May 2025 and was slated to assume office on January 5.
- Vladimir Padrino López (62): Defense Minister since October 2014, making him one of the longest-serving officials in the government. A career army officer, his tenure saw the armed forces' responsibilities expand to include economic sectors. He has consistently supported Maduro during periods of unrest and has been subjected to sanctions by the U.S. and other governments, which allege his involvement in supporting authoritarian rule, human rights abuses, and corruption. The U.S. has offered a $15 million reward for information leading to his capture.
- Diosdado Cabello (62): Interior Minister and a prominent figure within the government's socialist party, overseeing internal security forces, including prisons, police, and intelligence. He was a close associate of Hugo Chávez, participating in a 1992 military coup with Chávez. He briefly served as interim president during a 2002 coup attempt against Chávez. Mr. Cabello, like Maduro, faces indictments in the United States on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges, including connections with the "Cartel de los Soles." Washington offers a reward for information leading to his arrest. Mr. Cabello denies these allegations.
Opposition's Position and Internal Dynamics
Venezuela’s opposition maintains that the 2024 elections were fraudulent and disputes Maduro’s legitimacy as president, asserting that former ambassador Edmundo González Urrutia was the legitimate winner. This position is supported by some regional governments.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient, called for her ally Edmundo González to "immediately assume his constitutional mandate and be recognized as commander-in-chief." Ms. Machado stated her movement was "prepared to assert our mandate and take power." She described President Trump's actions regarding Venezuela as "historic" and "a huge step towards a democratic transition." President Trump, however, commented that Ms. Machado "didn't have the support to run the country" and that "it would be very tough for (Machado) to be the leader," dismissing the concept of installing her. Ms. Machado, after 16 months in hiding within Venezuela, departed the country in December with assistance from private U.S. security forces to receive her Nobel prize in Oslo. Concerns about her safety persist if she returns to Venezuela.
Opposition lawmaker Tomás Guanipa called for the release of Venezuela's political prisoners during a National Assembly session. He described the atmosphere as "very authoritarian" and stated, "we are trying to unify the opposition forces." He attributed responsibility to Ms. Machado for relying on the Trump administration regarding Venezuela's future and asserted that electoral boycotts strengthen the current administration. The opposition coalition, composed of over a dozen parties, experiences internal rivalries. Ms. Machado has declined to collaborate with some opposition lawmakers, including Mr. Guanipa, due to their participation in legislative elections which she had called to boycott. Paola Bautista de Alemán, an opposition activist, suggested that some within the opposition do not support democracy for Venezuela and are "part of the dictatorship."