Caracas, 06 January (H.S.): Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela’s vice president and oil minister, was formally sworn in as interim president on Monday, stepping into the breach as the nation grapples with the dramatic removal of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces and his subsequent appearance in a New York courtroom on drug charges.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at the National Assembly in Caracas, marked a pivotal moment for Venezuela, as Rodriguez pledged to defend the country’s sovereignty and called for the release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who remain in US custody.

A Nation in Transition

Rodriguez, a 56-year-old labor lawyer with deep roots in the ruling party and close ties to the private sector, was elevated to the presidency by Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice, which ordered her to assume “all the powers, duties, and faculties inherent to the office of president” to ensure administrative continuity and national defense.

At the ceremony, she was sworn in by her brother Jorge Rodriguez, who was reelected as the head of the National Assembly, signaling strong internal party support. The session also saw the swearing-in of 283 lawmakers elected in May, though the opposition, led by Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, largely boycotted the process.

Regional and International Reactions

Rodriguez’s inauguration was met with a mix of defiance and diplomatic caution. She denounced the US operation as an “illegal and illegitimate kidnapping,” asserting that Maduro remains Venezuela’s only legitimate president.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump claimed that Rodriguez was “gracious” and open to engagement, but warned that her administration would face consequences if it did not cooperate.

China and Russia echoed Venezuela’s stance, calling for Maduro’s immediate release and condemning the US action as a violation of international law.

Challenges Ahead

As Venezuela navigates this period of profound uncertainty, Rodriguez faces the dual challenge of maintaining internal stability and managing relations with global powers. Her pledge to “guarantee the peace of the Republic” and her vow not to rest until Maduro and Flores are freed have galvanized her supporters, but the road ahead is fraught with diplomatic, economic, and security risks.

With the eyes of the world on Caracas, Rodriguez’s leadership will be tested as Venezuela seeks to chart a course through this turbulent chapter in its history.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar