Venezuela’s Supreme Court ruled that, due to Nicolás Maduro’s absence from the country, presidential powers will temporarily be exercised by Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. The court statement said the move is aimed at maintaining continuity of governance, providing comprehensive protection for the country, and ensuring the stable functioning of state institutions. This was reported by podrobno.uz.reports.
That same day, Delcy Rodríguez addressed the public on Venezuela’s state television. She stressed that Nicolás Maduro remains the country’s only legitimate president and condemned the United States’ “armed aggression” against Venezuela, stating that the current authorities are ready to defend the people and national sovereignty.
It was said that the address was recorded with the participation of senior officials. Among them were National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López.
Delcy Eloina Rodríguez Gómez was born on May 18, 1969. She studied law at the Central University of Venezuela and began her career in government and international bodies related to foreign policy.
From 2014 to 2017, she served as Venezuela’s foreign minister, defended the country’s position within the UN and regional organizations, and managed foreign relations amid mounting sanctions pressure. In 2017, she led the Constituent Assembly created at Maduro’s initiative, which assumed part of the powers of the opposition-controlled parliament.
Since June 2018, Delcy Rodríguez has served as vice president. In this role, she coordinates the government’s economic bloc and takes part in negotiations on energy, sanctions, and international cooperation.
Delcy Rodríguez is under personal sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and several other countries. The restrictions have been justified by allegations of weakening democratic institutions and violating human rights. She is considered one of the key figures in Venezuela’s executive branch and a close ally of Maduro.
Earlier, the United States accused Maduro and his wife of “narco-terrorism” and cocaine smuggling. On the night of January 3, reports circulated that the U.S. struck several targets in Caracas, including an air base and military bases. Donald Trump confirmed that a “large-scale operation” had been carried out and said Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained and taken out of the country.
The European Union said it is closely monitoring the situation and noted it is maintaining its previous position that Maduro lacks sufficient legitimacy. The report interpreted Maduro’s detention as the final point in a long chain of decisions, mistakes, and conflicts that began when Hugo Chávez came to power.
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