The military has recognised Venezuela’s interim president

Venezuela’s armed forces have officially recognised Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim president, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López announced on Sunday, 4 January, in a televised address. The move follows a dramatic sequence of events that has plunged the nation into political uncertainty.

Late on Friday night, 2 January, in a controversial operation in the capital Caracas, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were reportedly abducted by United States forces. The couple is currently being held in federal custody in New York City.

In response to the sudden power vacuum, Venezuela’s Supreme Court convened and, in the early hours of Sunday morning, formally declared Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the acting president. The court stipulated that her interim mandate would last for 90 days, pending further constitutional processes.

During his address, Defence Minister Padrino López emphasised that the military fully supports the Supreme Court’s decision. He called upon the Venezuelan people to continue their daily lives with normalcy, stating:
“The Supreme Court has announced Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as Venezuela’s acting president for the next 90 days, and the armed forces endorse this decision. I urge all citizens to return to their routine and maintain stability in the nation.”

The rapid escalation of events has drawn international attention, raising concerns about Venezuela’s political stability and the potential for broader geopolitical ramifications. Analysts warn that the situation could influence regional security and diplomatic relations, particularly with the United States and neighbouring Latin American countries.

For clarity, the key developments are summarised below:

With the military’s endorsement, Delcy Rodríguez now assumes responsibility for Venezuela’s executive functions during the interim period. Observers emphasise that her leadership will be closely scrutinised, both domestically and internationally, as the country navigates a period of unprecedented political turbulence.