Delcy Rodríguez Sworn In as Venezuela Interim President Amid Maduro Abduction and U.S.-Led Operation
Delcy Rodríguez, a Caracas-born lawyer, is sworn Venezuela's interim president after Maduro's arrest in a U.S.-led operation, as lawmakers convene and the military backs Rodríguez.
Overview
Delcy Rodríguez, a Caracas-born lawyer and former vice president, is sworn in as interim president of Venezuela, amid political turmoil and Maduro's reported arrest in a U.S.-led operation.
Ruling party lawmakers, including Maduro's son Maduro Guerra, gather in Caracas to inaugurate the National Assembly's new term through 2031, signaling a shift in power dynamics.
Maduro Guerra denied co-conspirator status in federal charges against his father and Flores, as the U.S. operation expands into court appearances amid ongoing tensions.
Maduro appeared in a U.S. court on drug-related charges during Venezuelan legislative meetings, while the U.S. operation expands to capture Maduro and Flores at their home on a military base.
Rodríguez enjoys military backing, with Venezuela's Supreme Court appointing her interim presidency and constitutional provisions guiding a 30-day election or extended terms, while the Trump administration contemplates embassy reopening.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the coverage as a sovereignty-versus-US control narrative, foregrounding perceived coercion and the illegitimacy of Maduro's removal. Language emphasizes 'illegitimate military aggression' and 'oil quarantine,' while presenting Maduro opponents and U.S. officials as shaping the terms, with some domestic/legal constraints noted but largely supporting the sovereignty frame.
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FAQ
Delcy Rodríguez is a 56-year-old Venezuelan lawyer, diplomat, and politician who served as vice president from 2018 until Nicolás Maduro's capture, along with roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Economy and Finance, and Petroleum.
Nicolás Maduro was captured on January 3, 2026, in Caracas by American special forces in a U.S.-led operation and is awaiting arraignment in a U.S. federal court on drug smuggling charges.
Venezuela's Supreme Tribunal of Justice (Constitutional Chamber) ordered Rodríguez on January 4 to assume acting presidential powers to ensure administrative continuity following Maduro's capture.
Yes, Rodríguez has been backed by Venezuela's military as interim leader; she faced U.S. sanctions during Trump's first term for her role in Maduro's regime but has not been indicted on criminal charges.
History
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