MWE Correspondent
Venezuela has entered a new chapter of political uncertainty after Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, following a session of the National Assembly convened amid calls for the release of detained former President Nicolás Maduro.
Maduro is currently held in the United States facing multiple charges, including alleged drug trafficking and terrorism, a situation that has escalated tensions between Caracas and Washington.
Rodríguez, 56, who served as Venezuela’s vice president since 2018, condemned what she called the “abduction” of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, during a U.S. operation late on Saturday night. In her inaugural remarks, she described the arrest as a blatant violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty and authority, urging the international community to recognize the nation’s right to self-determination.
The swearing-in followed a dramatic courtroom appearance in New York, where Maduro insisted he remains the legitimate president and denied all U.S. charges against him. The case has drawn worldwide attention, prompting an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to address concerns over sovereignty, international law, and the legal implications of his detention. Venezuela’s ambassador to the UN, Samuel Moncada, called the operation “an illegal armed assault with no legal authority,” framing it as a direct violation of international norms.
The United States has defended the arrest, with its ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, calling Maduro a “rogue leader” and arguing that he has evaded justice while allegedly engaging in criminal activity.
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U.S. officials emphasize that Venezuela, home to some of the world’s largest energy reserves, cannot remain under the control of a leader accused of major international crimes.
Rodríguez’s appointment as interim leader is likely to intensify the international debate over Venezuela’s political legitimacy and the future of Maduro’s administration. Analysts suggest that the move could affect domestic stability and foreign relations, as governments weigh whether to recognize her authority or continue supporting Maduro.
In her first statement as interim president, Rodríguez pledged to defend national sovereignty, uphold the rule of law, and pursue diplomatic solutions to the ongoing crisis, while ensuring continuity of government. Observers note that this development underscores Venezuela’s fragile political environment and the intense external pressures it faces, both regionally and internationally.
As the situation unfolds, the world is watching closely to see whether Rodríguez’s interim administration will consolidate authority or if Maduro’s detention and U.S. charges will further deepen the country’s political divide. The coming weeks are expected to shape Venezuela’s domestic governance and its standing on the global stage, testing the resilience of its institutions and the effectiveness of international diplomacy.
