The political landscape of Venezuela has been plunged into unprecedented turmoil following a dramatic claim by the United States. On Saturday, January 3, 2026, US forces reportedly captured the country's President, Nicolas Maduro. This audacious move has triggered a constitutional and leadership crisis, with Vice President Delcy Rodriguez being ordered to take over as interim head of state.
Who is Delcy Rodriguez, Venezuela's New Leader?
Delcy Rodriguez, a lawyer trained in Britain and France, has been a central figure in the Maduro government. Serving as his vice president since 2018, she was the constitutional successor and managed key sectors of the nation's affairs. Rodriguez ran Venezuela's crucial oil-based economy and oversaw its powerful intelligence apparatus. She has long been the international face of the Chavez-Maduro socialist revolution.
Rodriguez comes from a prominent leftist family. Her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, leads the Maduro-backed National Assembly. Their father, socialist leader Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, died in police custody in the 1970s, an event that influenced many current figures, including Maduro himself. Unlike several allies of Maduro, neither Delcy nor her brother faces any US criminal charges.
Fluent in English and often viewed as more educated and market-savvy than the old guard from the Chavez era, Rodriguez has cultivated surprising connections. She built links with Republicans in the US oil industry and figures opposed to US-led regime change. Her past contacts reportedly include Blackwater founder Erik Prince and former Trump envoy Richard Grenell, who once sought a deal for greater US influence in Venezuela.
A Nation Divided: The Machado Challenge
Rodriguez's ascension is not expected to go unchallenged. It sets the stage for a fierce power struggle with the opposition, notably led by Maria Corina Machado. Machado, who recently won the Nobel Prize, is widely believed to be the favourite to secure a landslide victory in any free and fair election. The current locations of both Rodriguez and Machado are shrouded in mystery, adding to the uncertainty.
Reports suggest Rodriguez might be in Russia, a claim strongly denied by Moscow's foreign ministry, which labelled it 'fake news'. However, four sources familiar with her movements told Reuters the information was accurate. Meanwhile, Machado's whereabouts are also unknown after she left Norway in mid-December following the Nobel ceremony.
Demands and Denials in the Aftermath
In her first address following the crisis, Rodriguez vehemently condemned the US action. "This is an atrocity that violates international law," she stated, warning that those who backed the attack would 'pay'. She also made a critical demand: proof of life for President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, after US President Donald Trump announced their capture.
"We demand that President Donald Trump’s government provide immediate proof of life for President Maduro and the First Lady," Rodriguez said in an audio message played on Venezuelan state television. Interestingly, US President Trump stated that Rodriguez had already been sworn in as president under the constitution. However, state TV showed no such ceremony, and during her televised address, a news ticker still identified her as the vice president.
Rodriguez gave no indication of being willing to cooperate with the United States and has not responded to requests for comment. The nation now watches, waiting to see if this interim presidency can hold, or if the vacuum will lead to further conflict and the rise of the opposition.
