Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s US-backed acting president, publicly said she has had “enough” of Washington’s orders as she tries to stabilize her interim rule after the US capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro in early January.
“Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela,” she said, speaking Sunday to oil workers in Puerto La Cruz cited by CTV News, and urged that Venezuelan politics handle “our differences and our internal conflicts.”
Her pushback comes almost a month into her role, after she walked what was described as a tight-rope between keeping Maduro loyalists on board and meeting expectations from the White House, including demands tied to oil output and geopolitical alignment.
The White House has kept pressure on Caracas since Maduro and his wife were captured to face charges levied by the US government.
President Donald Trump initially said the US was “going to run” Venezuela after Maduro’s capture, then backed Rodríguez as interim leader.
Earlier this month, Trump said he spoke by phone with Rodríguez, praised her as a “terrific person,” and added, “I think we’re getting along very well with Venezuela.”
Days after US strikes on Caracas in early January, two senior White House officials told CNN the Trump administration demanded Venezuela cut ties with China, Iran, Russia, and Cuba, and agree to partner exclusively with the US on oil production.
Trump also signaled interest in bringing opposition figure María Corina Machado into leadership “in some capacity,” CNN reported Machado had lunch with Trump at the White House earlier this month, where she presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize.
Information for this story was found via CTV News and the sources and companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to the organizations discussed. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
