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Delcy Rodríguez Navigates US Oil Deal After January 3 Maduro Ouster

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  • Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez and Nicolas Maduro
    Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez and Nicolas Maduro
    Image: BBC
    Donald Trump, Delcy Rodriguez and Nicolas Maduro (BBC) Source Full size
  • Images of Maduro and Flores were illuminated above Caracas
    Images of Maduro and Flores were illuminated above Caracas
    Image: BBC
    Images of Maduro and Flores were illuminated above Caracas (Government of Caracas) Source Full size
  • Rodríguez with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright
    Rodríguez with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright
    Image: BBC
    Rodríguez with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright (Reuters) Source Full size
  • Leonardo Arca (second from the right) protesting in Caracas
    Leonardo Arca (second from the right) protesting in Caracas
    Image: BBC
    Leonardo Arca (second from the right) protesting in Caracas Source Full size
  • Diosdado Cabello commands a great deal of power
    Diosdado Cabello commands a great deal of power
    Image: BBC
    Diosdado Cabello commands a great deal of power (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Police officers stand guard during a protest
    Police officers stand guard during a protest
    Image: BBC
    Police officers stand guard during a protest (Reuters) Source Full size

Rodríguez Assumes Acting Presidency Amid US‑Backed Coup On 3 January 2026 the United States carried out a “lightning operation” that forced deposed President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores out of Venezuela; both are now detained at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting trial on drug‑trafficking charges they deny [1]. Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro loyalist, was installed as acting president the same day, inheriting a nation in political turmoil and a shattered economy [1]. She immediately faced the dual challenge of legitimizing her rule while responding to intense U.S. pressure for cooperation [1].

Trump Offers Oil Incentives While Rodríguez Balances Chavista Base President Donald Trump pledged up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil and promised to oversee the proceeds, creating a potential lifeline for the cash‑strapped regime [1]. Rodríguez delivered an anti‑imperialist speech to the National Assembly on 16 January, then met CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Caracas, underscoring her diplomatic tightrope between socialist supporters and the Trump administration [1]. Trump publicly praised her as “a wonderful person,” while Rodríguez worked to assure Chavista factions that the oil deal would not betray socialist principles [1].

Technocratic Cabinet and Prison Releases Signal Pragmatic Shift Rodríguez appointed a slate of technocrats and passed legislation allowing U.S. oil firms to operate in Venezuela, marking a departure from previous hard‑line policies [1]. She ordered the release of several political prisoners, a move the opposition attributes to U.S. pressure rather than genuine reform [1]. These limited reforms aim to attract foreign investment and stabilize the regime without alienating powerful military leader Diosdado Cabello, who commands the armed forces and paramilitary “colectivos” [1].

Economic Crisis Persists Despite Prospects of US Investment Venezuela continues to suffer the world’s highest inflation, with 86 % of the population living in poverty in 2024 and a basic food basket costing $526.83 in 2025 [1]. While the promised U.S. oil partnership could ease fiscal strain, analysts note that focusing solely on oil leaves broader economic recovery uncertain [1]. Rodríguez must also keep Cabello, who carries a $25 million U.S. bounty, satisfied to maintain internal security and investor confidence [1].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 16‑17, 2025 – President Nicolás Maduro tells a Caracas crowd that President Donald Trump’s claim the U.S. “stole oil, land and other assets” proves Washington seeks to topple Venezuela, while Trump posts on Truth Social demanding the return of those assets and warns a naval buildup will continue until Caracas complies [25].

1986 – 2025 (historical background) – Nicolás Maduro rises from a bus driver to union leader, joins the Chávez movement in 1986, ascends to the presidency, presides over hyperinflation, severe shortages and a 2024 election widely deemed fraudulent, and faces an International Criminal Court investigation for crimes against humanity [23].

Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. forces conduct a night‑long “snatch‑and‑grab” raid, seizing President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores from their Caracas compound, transporting them aboard a U.S. warship to New York where they face narco‑terrorism charges; the operation involves more than 150 aircraft, 20 bases and roughly 200 personnel, and leaves dozens dead, including Cuban and Venezuelan security personnel [19][21][30].

Jan 3, 2026 – President Trump declares the United States will “run” Venezuela temporarily, tap its oil reserves and sell the crude to fund the operation, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. will not govern day‑to‑day but will enforce a naval oil quarantine as leverage [13][16][20].

Jan 4, 2026 – Rubio outlines a three‑stage U.S. plan: stabilise Venezuela and market 30‑50 million barrels of oil, pursue reconciliation measures, then transition to a new government; he also stresses dismantling drug networks, expelling Hezbollah, Iran and other foreign actors, and rebuilding the oil sector with outside investment [15].

Jan 4, 2026 – The Venezuelan Supreme Court orders Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the role of acting president under the constitutional line of succession, while Rodríguez condemns the U.S. raid as an “illegal kidnapping” and vows accountability [17][15].

Jan 5, 2026 – The National Assembly swears in Delcy Rodríguez as interim president; she describes taking the oath “with pain” and frames her mandate as a response to the “illegitimate military aggression” that removed Maduro, while Maduro appears in a New York courtroom, pleads not guilty to four charges and a next hearing is set for Mar 17 2026 [5][5].

Jan 5, 2026 – The U.S. Justice Department labels Rodríguez the “so‑called Acting President” in a court filing, noting the fluid situation in Venezuela and the sensitivity of U.S. relations with her regime [6].

Jan 6, 2026 – Gunfire and drone lights are reported near Miraflores Palace; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms nearly 200 U.S. personnel were on the ground in Caracas during the operation, while Trump reiterates that the United States is “in charge” of Venezuela [9].

Jan 7, 2026 – Acting President Rodríguez sacks General Javier Marcano Tábata, head of the presidential honour guard, and appoints former intelligence chief Gustavo González López as his successor, signaling a consolidation of loyal security forces after the raid [3].

Jan 7, 2026 – U.S. Delta Force operatives execute the “snatch‑and‑grab” seizure, and Trump publicly threatens Rodríguez with a “fate worse than Maduro’s” if she does not cooperate, while also discussing the transfer of up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to U.S. firms [8][3].

Jan 8, 2026 – The Trump administration formally recognises Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s interim leader, stating the priority is short‑term stability rather than immediate regime change, and outlines a staged approach that begins with oil‑revenue supervision [2].

Jan 13, 2026 – In a DOJ filing, the United States again refers to Rodríguez as the “so‑called Acting President,” while Trump posts a mock‑up image on Truth Social claiming the U.S. will run Venezuela during a transition [6].

Feb 18, 2026 – Acting President Rodríguez balances her Chavista base with U.S. demands, meeting CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Jan 16, installing technocratic ministers, passing legislation for U.S. oil firms to operate, and ordering the release of political prisoners; she must also placate military strongman Diosdado Cabello while the promise of up to 50 million barrels of oil from the Trump administration offers uncertain relief to a population with 86 % in poverty [1].

Future (by mid‑March 2026) – A scheduled New York hearing on Mar 17 2026 will address the next phase of the U.S. case against Maduro and his wife, while the Venezuelan constitution requires a presidential election within a month of the president’s absence, though experts doubt its applicability given the extraordinary U.S. intervention [5][13].

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