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Delcy Rodríguez Navigates US Oil Deal and Internal Power After Maduro’s 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

US Forces Oust Maduro and Flores on Jan 3 US forces removed deposed president Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores from Venezuela on 3 January, sending them to a Brooklyn detention center awaiting trial for alleged drug trafficking, which they deny [1]. Their removal followed months of U.S. sanctions and diplomatic pressure aimed at ending Maduro’s rule [1]. The operation marked the first direct U.S. military action inside Venezuela since the 2019 failed incursion [1]. International observers noted the move could destabilize the already fragile political landscape [1].

Rodríguez Juggles Socialist Rhetoric and US Oil Deal Acting president Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro loyalist, continued to employ anti‑imperialist language while overseeing a Trump‑announced agreement to ship up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil to the United States [1]. The deal is presented as a lifeline for Venezuela’s collapsing economy but critics argue it primarily benefits U.S. energy firms [1]. Rodríguez framed the oil export as a sovereign decision that will generate revenue for social programs, despite hyperinflation eroding purchasing power [1]. She simultaneously warned against foreign interference, maintaining her Chavista credentials to placate the party base [1].

CIA Director Ratcliffe Meets Rodríguez, Trump Calls Her “Wonderful” Rodríguez met CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Caracas on 16 January, the first high‑level U.S. intelligence visit since the January 3 operation [1]. President Trump later praised Rodríguez as “a wonderful person” during a telephone call, signaling a pragmatic shift in U.S. engagement [1]. The contacts have been interpreted as a signal that Washington may support a negotiated political transition rather than further military action [1]. Nonetheless, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio continues to press for early, internationally monitored elections [1].

Cabello Controls Militia, Holds Bounty, Influences Rodríguez Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, who commands the military, paramilitary colectivos and a network of militia, remains Rodríguez’s key security ally [1]. Cabello is subject to a U.S. bounty for drug‑trafficking allegations, highlighting the paradox of his cooperation with the acting president [1]. His control over armed groups gives him leverage over Rodríguez’s policy choices, especially regarding the oil deal and political reforms [1]. Analysts warn that any move to sideline Cabello could trigger internal unrest or a coup attempt [1].

Inflation Peaks, Poverty Rises, Oil Deal Hoped to Relieve Crisis Venezuela’s inflation reached the world’s highest level in 2024, and 86 % of the population lived in poverty in 2024, with a basic food basket costing $527 in 2025 [1]. Rodríguez hopes the U.S. oil investment will generate foreign currency, stabilize the bolívar and fund subsidies for essential goods [1]. However, economists caution that oil revenues alone may not reach the poorest households without structural reforms [1]. Opposition groups argue that the government is using the oil deal to postpone elections and consolidate power [1].

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Timeline

2024 – The presidential election is widely deemed rigged, prompting the opposition and U.S. officials to demand early, credible elections [1].

2025 – Venezuela endures the world’s highest inflation, 86 % poverty and a basic food basket costing $527, deepening the humanitarian crisis [1].

Dec 9, 2025 – The White House drafts “day‑after” contingency plans for Venezuela, ranging from negotiated departure to forced removal of Maduro, while the CIA receives authorization for covert operations against drug and migrant networks [25].

Jan 3, 2026 (overnight) – U.S. forces launch a 150‑aircraft, ~200‑person raid on Caracas, capture President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores, and transport them to New York to face narco‑terrorism charges [20][23][24][26][27][28][29][30].

Jan 3, 2026 – President Donald Trump declares the United States will “run” Venezuela temporarily, tap its oil reserves for sale, and deploy U.S. troops if needed [20][21][23][24][26][27][28][29][30].

Jan 3, 2026 – The Justice Department files a superseding indictment charging Maduro and Flores with narco‑terrorism and weapons offenses [20][23][24][27][29][30].

Jan 3, 2026 – Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlines U.S. conditions for any engagement: dismantle drug networks, expel Hezbollah/Iranian actors, and rebuild the oil sector with outside investment, while maintaining the naval oil quarantine [17].

Jan 4, 2026 – Venezuela’s Supreme Court orders Vice‑President Delcy Rodríguez to assume the interim presidency with full powers, noting the constitution requires elections within 30 days but stops short of declaring Maduro permanently absent [18][19].

Jan 4, 2026 – The U.S. states it will not govern day‑to‑day but will enforce the existing oil quarantine as its primary leverage over Caracas [15][16].

Jan 5, 2026 – Delcy Rodríguez is sworn in as interim president, calling Maduro’s removal a “kidnapping” and pledging to guarantee peace while inviting U.S. collaboration on development within international law [5][14][11][12].

Jan 5, 2026 – The U.S. publicly backs Rodríguez as Venezuela’s interim leader, emphasizing stability over immediate regime change and outlining a three‑stage plan (stabilisation, reconciliation, transition) [2].

Jan 6, 2026 – Gunfire erupts near Miraflores Palace; Rodríguez’s inauguration proceeds amid claims of “illegal kidnapping” and Trump’s assertion that the U.S. is “in charge” [10].

Jan 6, 2026 – International‑law scholars debate the legality of the U.S. raid, arguing that sovereignty violations generally require UN or OAS authorization [8].

Jan 6, 2026 – The government stresses its independence from U.S. control and notes the constitutional 30‑day election deadline, while Rodríguez’s interim mandate could be extended up to six months by the National Assembly [9].

Jan 7, 2026 – Rodríguez dismisses General Javier Marcano Tábata, head of the presidential honor guard, and appoints former SEBIN chief Gustavo González López as his successor, signaling a consolidation of loyal security forces [3].

Jan 7, 2026 – Dozens are killed in the U.S. operation, including 32 Cuban security personnel and 23 Venezuelan military members, fueling regional alarm [4][3].

Jan 8, 2026 – The Trump administration formally recognizes Rodríguez as interim president, framing the move as a pragmatic choice for stability rather than backing opposition leader María Corina Machado [2].

Jan 10, 2026 – Opposition figures, led by María Corina Machado, intensify calls for new elections, criticizing the transition and seeking international support [7].

Jan 16, 2026 – Rodríguez meets CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Caracas, indicating a tentative diplomatic channel despite her earlier denunciations of the U.S. raid [1].

Jan 27, 2026 – Speaking to oil workers in Puerto La Cruz, Rodríguez declares she has “enough” of U.S. orders, demanding that Venezuela’s internal politics be resolved without external interference [6].

Feb 18, 2026 – Rodríguez balances anti‑imperialist rhetoric with a Trump‑announced oil deal to deliver up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan crude, positioning herself between Chavista loyalists and U.S. demands for oil cooperation [1].

2026 onward (planned) – Rubio’s three‑stage roadmap envisions a transition from stabilisation to democratic elections, while the U.S. signals possible reopening of its embassy in Caracas once a pliant interim government is secured [9][2].

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