Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s acting president, finds herself in a precarious spot after the U.S. capture of Nicolás Maduro, facing both an opportunity for dialogue and a stark warning from President Trump.
Rodríguez extended an olive branch to the United States on Sunday, urging collaboration for “shared development” and “lasting community coexistence,” as reported by The Hill. Her Instagram post marked a surprising shift from defiance to diplomacy within a single day.
Just a day prior, on Saturday, Rodríguez had fiercely defended Maduro in a televised address, declaring, “There is only one president in Venezuela, and his name is Nicolás Maduro Moros.” That kind of loyalty to a fallen leader won’t easily win trust from those skeptical of socialist holdovers in Caracas.
Rodríguez’s sudden pivot to peace talks raises eyebrows, especially after the U.S. military action over the weekend that led to Maduro’s arrest and indictment on drug charges in New York. Her plea for cooperation seems less like conviction and more like a survival tactic under intense pressure.
In her Sunday message, she added, “President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.” Fine words, but they ring hollow when stacked against her earlier rhetoric and the brutal legacy of Maduro’s regime.
The acting president also emphasized Venezuela’s “right to peace, development, sovereignty and a future.” Admirable goals, yet many wonder if she’s the one to deliver them, given her track record of standing by a leader now facing serious criminal charges.
President Trump didn’t mince words in response, warning Rodríguez on Sunday during an interview with The Atlantic that “if she doesn’t do what’s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.” That’s a clear signal the U.S. isn’t playing games with a government long accused of corruption and narco-trafficking.
At the same time, initial reports suggest Trump sees potential in Rodríguez to oversee a revival of Venezuela’s battered oil sector, hinting at a pragmatic willingness to engage. Still, his refusal to publicly back opposition leader María Corina Machado, stating she “doesn’t have the support” to lead, shows he’s keeping his cards close.
Trump’s dual approach of threat and opportunity puts Rodríguez in a tight bind, forcing her to navigate between appeasing Washington and maintaining control at home. It’s a high-stakes game, and missteps could cost her everything.
The weekend’s dramatic events, from the U.S. attack to Maduro’s swift transfer to New York, have left Venezuela at a crossroads. Rodríguez’s leadership will be tested as she balances internal factions and external demands with a weakened hand.
Her call for dialogue might appeal to those weary of conflict, but it’s hard to ignore the shadow of Maduro’s policies that crippled the nation’s economy and freedoms. Many Venezuelans, and indeed Americans, will question if her intentions are genuine or just a bid to stay in power.
Trump’s warning adds another layer of urgency, signaling that any cooperation must come on his terms. Patience for socialist experiments in Caracas has long run dry among those who value liberty and accountability.
Rodríguez now has a narrow window to prove she’s more than a mouthpiece for a failed regime, but skepticism abounds. Her past allegiance to Maduro doesn’t inspire confidence in those who’ve watched Venezuela spiral into chaos under his watch.
Trump’s readiness to work with her on oil redevelopment could be a lifeline for a country desperate for economic relief. Yet, without real reforms, any deal risks propping up the same corrupt structures that plagued Maduro’s tenure.
The coming days will reveal whether Rodríguez can chart a new path or if she’s just buying time under the weight of Trump’s ultimatum. For a nation aching for stability, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the world is watching closely.