Trump Bypasses Opposition, Picks Delcy Rodríguez to Lead Venezuela Temporarily Following Maduro’s Arrest

Source: The New York Times

A new report reveals that President Donald Trump’s administration has settled on Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s new leader, favoring her over the Nobel Peace Prize-winning opposition leader María Corina Machado.

Key Details of the Political Shift:

• Rejection of Exile: Maduro rejected a U.S. offer for a "gilded exile" in Turkey late last December, mocking U.S. threats by dancing on state television.

• Choosing Rodríguez: U.S. officials view Rodríguez (56) as a "practical choice" to manage the oil sector, despite being the daughter of a Marxist guerrilla and a prominent figure in the former regime.

• Excluding the Opposition: Despite Machado winning the 2024 elections, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, and her continuous efforts to court Trump, he stated she lacks the "respect" needed to govern and does not have sufficient support.

• U.S. Control: Trump announced the United States' intention to "run" Venezuela for an unspecified period to secure oil interests and combat drug trafficking.

• Rodríguez’s Stance: In her first speech, she described the U.S. operation as an "illegal invasion" and affirmed Maduro’s legitimacy. However, analysts suggest this stance might be a strategy to pacify loyalists and the military.