Following the apprehension of President Nicolas Maduro by the United States two days prior, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as acting president today. The ceremony took place in Caracas.
Rodriguez, a 56-year-old labor lawyer known for her close ties to the private sector and loyalty to the ruling party, took the oath of office before her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, the head of the National Assembly.
Also sworn in today were 283 deputies elected in May. A small number are classified as opposition, as most opposition members boycotted the elections, particularly the group led by Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado. The only deputy absent was First Lady Cilia Flores, who is also reportedly being held by the United States.
Upon assuming the role of acting president, Rodriguez expressed a willingness to cooperate with the United States within the framework of “balanced and respectful relations based on sovereign equality and non-interference.”
“We call on the U.S. government to work together on a cooperation agenda focused on joint development within the framework of international law to promote sustainable social coexistence,” she stated after holding her first cabinet meeting.
This marks an initial sign of openness towards Washington from a figure within the Maduro administration. It follows a weekend raid by the U.S. in Venezuela, which resulted in Maduro’s arrest. He is currently facing trial in New York on charges including “narco-terrorism,” according to the U.S. classification. Maduro pleaded not guilty in court earlier today.
DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
