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Trump claims Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela's president after Maduro's capture, says the US is engaging her directly, and dismisses opposition leader María Corina Machado as lacking support.
Who is Delcy Rodríguez, the Venezuelan leader Trump says replaced Maduro? (Photo Reuters)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 4, 2026 06:14 IST
US President Donald Trump on Saturday claimed that Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodrguez had been sworn in as president, saying Washington is now engaging directly with her following the capture of Nicols Maduro. The Venezuelan government has made no such announcement, and the claim could not be independently verified.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had already spoken with Rodrguez. “She is essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again. Very simple,” Trump said.
Pressed on whether the United States was prepared to work with her, Trump replied that Rodrguez had been picked by Maduro but was now the point of contact. “She had a long conversation with Marco, and she said, ‘We’ll do whatever you need,’” he added, describing her as quite gracious, while noting that she really doesn’t have a choice.
Trump also said the United States would effectively be running Venezuela in the immediate future, repeating that Rodrguez was prepared to cooperate with Washington’s plans for the country. Venezuelan officials have not confirmed Rodrguez’s whereabouts, though several sources told Reuters she was in Russia, a claim denied by Russian state media.
The remarks came amid renewed political turmoil following Maduro’s reported capture by US forces. Opposition leader Mara Corina Machado earlier said opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzlez should assume power, insisting he had rightfully won the 2024 presidential election.
Trump, however, dismissed Machado’s leadership credentials, saying he had not been in contact with her. “I think it’d be very tough for her to be the leader. She doesn’t have the support within or the respect within the country,” he said. “She’s a very nice woman, but she doesn’t have the respect to be leader.”
WHO IS DELCY RODRIGUEZ
Rodrguez, 56, is one of the most powerful figures in Venezuela’s socialist government. A close ally of Maduro, she has served simultaneously as vice president, finance minister and oil minister, giving her sweeping control over economic policy at a time of crushing US sanctions and chronic inflation.
Maduro once called her a “tiger” for her fierce defence of his government. Born in Caracas, Rodrguez is the daughter of left-wing guerrilla leader Jorge Antonio Rodrguez, founder of the Liga Socialista party.
A trained attorney and graduate of the Universidad Central de Venezuela, she rose rapidly through the political ranks, serving as communications minister, foreign minister and later head of the pro-government Constituent Assembly that expanded Maduro’s powers.
In an audio message broadcast on state television on Saturday, Rodrguez called on the United States to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding events in Caracas as Washington signals a dramatic shift in its approach to Venezuela.
(With inputs from agencies)
- Ends
Published By:
Akash Chatterjee
Published On:
Jan 4, 2026
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