Can Maduro’s Trusted Lieutenant Now Work for Trump?
– Vanessa Buschschlüter, Latin America editor, BBC News Online
– REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria
Many viewers who tuned into US President Donald Trump’s news conference hoping for dramatic updates on Nicolás Maduro’s capture may have been taken aback when Trump proclaimed that the US would run Venezuela until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.
In an unexpected twist, Trump revealed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in talks with Maduro’s Vice-President, Delcy Rodríguez, who purportedly expressed a willingness to collaborate with the US to make Venezuela great again. However, in her own news conference shortly thereafter, Rodríguez fiercely condemned Maduro’s detention as a kidnapping and emphasized that Venezuela would not turn into a colony.
This moment of confusion has led many to wonder who precisely is in charge in Venezuela. According to the Venezuelan constitution, the vice-president assumes presidential responsibilities during the president’s absence. Thus, the Venezuelan Supreme Court’s designation of Delcy Rodríguez as acting president appears logical on the surface. Yet, observers had anticipated that a US intervention’s aftermath would unfold differently.
The US, among others, had not recognized Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president after denouncing the 2024 election as rigged. Maduro was declared president by Venezuela’s electoral council (CNE), a body seen as under government control. Despite the CNE’s declaration, they failed to provide detailed voting tallies, while opposition-collected evidence indicated Edmundo González, the opposition candidate, had won decisively.
– JUAN BARRETO/AFP via Getty Images
Edmundo González stood in for María Corina Machado, who was barred from the election by Maduro’s regime. Following the crackdown on opposition, González sought refuge in Spain, while Machado went into hiding within Venezuela. For the past 18 months, both have vigorously campaigned for Maduro’s resignation and sought international support, especially from the US. Machado’s profile surged when she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts towards achieving a democratic transition in Venezuela.
After accepting her award in Oslo, many believed that post-Maduro Venezuela would see her return alongside González to reclaim power. Following Maduro’s arrest, Machado expressed on social media that the hour of freedom has arrived and proclaimed, Today we are ready to enforce our mandate and take power.
However, Trump’s remarks surprised many journalists, revealing that he believed Machado lacked the support or respect to lead the country. Trump stated, We have not spoken to Machado, whereas Rubio had engaged with Rodríguez. Trump highlighted Rodríguez’s willingness to do the US’s bidding, quoting her as saying, we’ll do whatever you want, insisting, she really doesn’t have a choice.
– Gaby Oraa/Bloomberg via Getty Images
With Maduro’s close aides still wielding influence, US officials might believe that an existing government member is the smoothest choice to lead the transition. During the press conference, Trump indicated readiness for a second and much larger attack if we need to do so, shedding light on why he perceives Rodríguez as compliant.
Rodríguez was seen surrounded by influential figures from Maduro’s inner circle hours post-capture. Prominent allies included her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, president of the National Assembly, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, and top armed forces commander Domingo Hernández Lárez. US officials likely found comfort in knowing that Maduro’s fall wouldn’t immediately spiral into chaos within his administration.
Nonetheless, Rodriguez’s statement—that there is only one president in Venezuela, and his name is Nicolás Maduro—would have been less than reassuring for US officials. She termed Maduro’s arrest a kidnapping, asserting that Venezuela will never again be a colony of any empire, and promising to defend the nation. While she did not echo Trump’s characterization of her willingness to comply, some speculate that this nationalistic rhetoric was designed to maintain loyalty among Maduro’s staunch supporters.
Rubio responded to the situation, indicating that the US would judge Rodríguez based on her actions rather than words. He noted, if they don’t make the right decisions, the United States will retain multiple levers to ensure our interests are protected. In an ABC interview, he also suggested that Venezuela should hold fresh elections, emphasizing the need for a genuine democratic process.
The call for new elections may disappoint Machado, González, and many Venezuelans supportive of their cause. The opposition has long contended that fair elections are impossible while Maduro’s loyalists dominate key institutions tasked with overseeing the electoral process. Reforming these organizations will require time, suggesting that for now, Venezuela will likely be governed by Delcy Rodríguez and Maduro’s inner circle—so long as they align with the Trump administration’s expectations.
Rodríguez may soon find herself navigating a precarious balance between satisfying Trump’s demands and maintaining the support of Maduro’s base. The future of Venezuela hinges on whether she can strike this delicate equilibrium—or if she will face the backlash of conflicting interests.
In conclusion, as the situation continues to evolve, the question remains: Can Maduro’s trusted lieutenant truly work for Trump, or will competing priorities lead to further instability in Venezuela?