Delcy Rodríguez Assumes Interim Presidency After Maduro Capture, Signals US Cooperation
Updated (3 articles)
US forces capture Maduro, Supreme Court appoints Rodríguez On the night of January 4, 2026, U.S. forces seized President Nicolás Maduro in a covert operation, prompting Venezuela’s Supreme Court to order Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency; the military publicly backed the transition and she chaired her first cabinet meeting the following day [1][2][3].
Rodríguez’s long‑standing chavista credentials The 56‑year‑old lawyer has served as Maduro’s vice president since 2018, previously overseeing the oil‑dependent economy and the feared intelligence service, and she is closely linked to her brother Jorge Rodríguez, head of the Maduro‑controlled National Assembly [1][2][3].
Constitutional timeline frames the transition Venezuela’s constitution mandates an election within 30 days if a president is permanently unavailable; the court classified Maduro’s absence as temporary, allowing Rodríguez to govern for up to 90 days, with a possible six‑month extension by the National Assembly [2][3].
U.S. officials open limited diplomatic channel President Donald Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Rodríguez, describing her as “gracious” and willing to work with Washington; Rodríguez later posted an Instagram invitation for cooperation under international law, while Rubio cautioned about the legitimacy of any new government [1][3].
Analysts warn of hard‑line continuity and uncertain tenure Observers note Rodríguez’s control over defense and oil ministries suggests a hard‑line caretaker rather than a moderate pivot; internal balancing within Maduro’s coalition and opposition claims of a 2024 election victory create uncertainty over how long she can maintain power [1][2][3].
Sources
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1.
CNN: Maduro's capture prompts Rodríguez interim leadership in Venezuela – Details the U.S. capture, Rodríguez’s immediate assumption of power, Trump’s praise, and analysts’ view of her as a hard‑line caretaker .
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2.
King5: Delcy Rodríguez named interim president of Venezuela after Maduro's ouster – Highlights the Supreme Court order, Rodríguez’s past roles, her mixed signals toward Trump, constitutional limits, and divergent analyst opinions on the interim period .
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3.
AP: Delcy Rodríguez named interim president of Venezuela after Maduro's capture – Reports the capture, Rodríguez’s succession, U.S. diplomatic contacts, constitutional provisions, and observers’ assessment of a power shift toward Maduro loyalists .
Timeline
2024 – Opposition parties claim the presidential election is fraudulent and declare Edmundo González Urrutia the legitimate winner, keeping the dispute over Maduro’s legitimacy alive[1].
Jan 3, 2026 – U.S. forces capture President Nicolás Maduro in a nighttime operation, creating a power vacuum that triggers a rapid leadership shift in Caracas[1][2][3].
Jan 4, 2026 – Venezuela’s Supreme Court orders Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency, with the military publicly backing the decision, marking the first legal transfer of power since Maduro’s capture[2][3].
Jan 4, 2026 – President Donald Trump says Rodríguez “appears willing to cooperate” with Washington but warns she “will pay a heavy price” if she does not act correctly[1].
Jan 4, 2026 – Secretary of State Marco Rubio contacts Rodríguez, describing her as “gracious” and ready to work with the U.S.; later Rubio asserts that Venezuela “never held free and fair elections”[2].
Jan 5, 2026 – Rodríguez chairs her first council of ministers meeting, flanked by portraits of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro, signaling continuity of the Chavista legacy[1].
Jan 5, 2026 – In a televised statement, Rodríguez condemns Maduro’s capture as “barbaric” but immediately offers an “agenda of cooperation” with the United States, attempting to balance nationalist rhetoric with diplomatic outreach[1].
Jan 5, 2026 – Rodríguez calls the U.S. government “extremists” in a separate address, refusing to pledge cooperation with the Trump administration and reaffirming Maduro’s policies[3].
Jan 5, 2026 – On Instagram, Rodríguez posts a conciliatory message inviting U.S. collaboration on an “agenda of cooperation within international law,” echoing her earlier diplomatic overtures[3].
Jan 5, 2026 – Analysts note Rodríguez controls the Ministry of Defense and other key security organs, describing her as a hard‑line caretaker rather than a moderate reformer, and suggest she may oversee a transitional period[1].
Jan 5, 2026 – Venezuela’s constitution mandates a presidential election within 30 days of a permanent vacancy; the Supreme Court classifies Maduro’s absence as temporary, allowing Rodríguez to govern for up to 90 days, with a possible six‑month extension by the National Assembly[2][3].
Feb 2026 (by early February) – Venezuela must hold a presidential election according to the constitutional timeline, unless the National Assembly approves a six‑month extension, setting the next critical political milestone[2][3].