Venezuelan politician Delcy Rodríguez has assumed the role of the nation’s top leader following the removal of Nicolás Maduro by the US. The official presidential website of Venezuela has designated her as the interim president.
Recent images and press releases revealed Rodríguez presiding over an urgent meeting of the Council of Ministers in Caracas. This session marked her first cabinet meeting as the acting president of Venezuela. In a public statement, she expressed her intention to establish cooperative relations with the US in compliance with international law for mutual development.
Rodríguez characterized Maduro’s removal as a temporary absence and accused the US of unlawfully seizing him and his wife, labeling it as a kidnapping. Despite these events, there has been no formal inauguration ceremony broadcast on state TV, and during a televised address, Rodríguez refrained from explicitly declaring herself as the interim leader.
Disputing Donald Trump’s assertions of collaboration, Rodríguez denounced the US’s actions towards Venezuela as a violation of international law. In response, President Trump warned that Rodríguez would face severe consequences if she does not comply, potentially greater than those faced by Maduro.
Alongside these developments, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio questioned the legitimacy of Rodríguez’s government due to concerns about Venezuela’s electoral process. Meanwhile, Rodríguez’s appointment coincides with allegations of narco-terrorism conspiracy and other criminal charges against Maduro and his associates by the US authorities.
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