The new interim President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has been sworn in

In the wake of a dramatic and unprecedented operation by United States special forces, Delsy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s Vice President and former Oil Minister, has officially been sworn in as the country’s interim president. The announcement follows the detention of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores by U.S. forces, an event that has sent shockwaves through Caracas and the wider international community, Anadolu Agency reports.

The swearing-in ceremony took place on Monday, 5 January, at Venezuela’s National Assembly in the capital, Caracas. The event was marked by palpable emotion, with lawmakers and dignitaries present to witness the historic transfer of power under extraordinary circumstances.

During her oath, Rodríguez paid tribute to her political mentor and the late socialist leader, former President Hugo Chávez, declaring: “I swear this oath in the name of Commander Hugo Chávez.” She also expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the recent U.S. operation, which she described as an affront to Venezuelan sovereignty. Rodríguez referred to the detained couple as “national heroes,” lamenting that “our two heroes are being held captive in North America. It is with a heavy heart that I assume this responsibility.”

The capture of Maduro and Flores occurred in the early hours of 3 January during a high-stakes U.S. commando operation in Caracas. They were immediately transported to New York, where legal proceedings have been initiated against them on charges of drug trafficking and arms smuggling. Following Maduro’s disappearance, Venezuela’s Supreme Court swiftly issued a directive appointing Rodríguez as acting president with immediate effect.

From Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump declared that temporary control of Venezuela would now reside with the United States and warned that military intervention could be employed if necessary to maintain order.

Despite initially reacting firmly against foreign involvement, Rodríguez later indicated a willingness to cooperate with the United States in the interest of stabilising the country’s oil assets and broader economic security. Nevertheless, Venezuela’s political trajectory remains uncertain, raising concerns across South America and globally about the future of the oil-rich nation.

Key Timeline of Events

With Venezuela at a political crossroads and the world watching closely, Rodríguez’s tenure as interim president marks the beginning of a critical chapter in the nation’s turbulent history, with regional stability and global oil markets hanging in the balance.