On Saturday, the Constitutional Chamber of Venezuela’s Supreme Court decreed that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would assume the duties of interim president. This decision was reached in light of President Nicolás Maduro’s absence, following his detention by U.S. forces in a covert operation early Saturday.
The court's decree stated, 'Delcy Rodríguez will assume the responsibilities as President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, ensuring administrative continuity and safeguarding the nation's comprehensive defense. The court will continue its deliberation to determine the applicable legal framework for maintaining state continuity, governance operations, and protecting national sovereignty in the event of enforced presidential absence.' In the aftermath, U.S. President Donald Trump announced from his Florida residence, Mar-a-Lago, during a press conference that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez would take on the role of Venezuela’s president. He remarked, 'The United States will oversee the management of Venezuela shortly, and Delcy Rodríguez has expressed her commitment to do whatever is necessary to restore the nation’s greatness.'
Delcy Rodríguez, born on May 18, 1969, in Caracas, Venezuela, is the daughter of leftist guerilla fighter Jorge Antonio Rodríguez, who founded the revolutionary Liga Socialista Party in the 1970s. A staunch supporter of Maduro’s government, she was dubbed 'The Lioness' by Maduro for her unwavering backing. Working alongside her brother Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly, Delcy has occupied crucial governmental roles.
From 2013 to 2014, she served as the Minister of Communication and Information, from 2014 to 2017 as the Foreign Minister, and led the pro-government Constitutional Assembly since 2017, which expanded Maduro's powers. In June 2018, she was appointed Vice President of Venezuela, with Nicolás Maduro describing her as 'a young woman, courageous, experienced, the daughter of a martyr, revolutionary, and battle-hardened in thousands of fights.' By August 2024, she had been assigned the additional responsibility of overseeing the Oil Ministry, managing Venezuela’s most significant industry amidst growing U.S. sanctions.
Delcy Rodríguez has simultaneously held positions as Vice President, Finance Minister, and Oil Minister, making her a central figure in managing Venezuela's strained economy. She has adopted relatively conventional economic policies to curb hyperinflation and played a crucial role in shaping government relations with the private sector. As a lawyer by profession, Rodríguez studied at Venezuela’s Central University. Known for her inclination towards designer fashions, Rodríguez has swiftly climbed the political ladder over the past decade, establishing herself as one of the country's most prominent political figures. Amid the current political crisis, Delcy Rodríguez issued an audio message demanding the U.S. provide proof of life for Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
