Delcy Rodríguez Takes Oath as Venezuela's President: What Lies Ahead?

Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as the President of Venezuela this Monday in front of the chavista-controlled National Assembly.

During the ceremony, Delcy administered the oath to her brother Jorge Rodríguez, who was reinstated as President of the Assembly, and to the son of Nicolás Maduro.

"I come with sorrow for the captivity of two heroes we have held hostage in the United States, President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. I come with pain, but also with honor, to swear in the name of all Venezuelans for our liberator father Simón Bolívar, who is the historical guide and beacon for Venezuela's future," she declared.

"I swear by Commander Hugo Chávez, who gave life to millions of Venezuelans and restored their dignity as citizens," she added.

Rodríguez emphasized her commitment to working towards peace and spiritual tranquility for the Venezuelan people.

In a politically charged and symbolic day, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, son of the Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro Moros, defended his father and showed solidarity with Delcy Rodríguez in the National Assembly.

The deputy expressed his "unconditional support" for Rodríguez, who serves as interim president following Maduro Moros' capture by the United States on Saturday, January 3. His confirmation was anticipated in Parliament.

Concluding his speech, he sent a direct message to the Venezuelan leader: "The homeland is in good hands," a statement that reinforces the narrative of power continuity within the closest circle of chavismo.

During the opening of the National Assembly, Maduro Guerra focused much of his speech on defending his father against the U.S. justice system. He argued that international law "exists to curb empires" and condemned what he called a historic challenge following the actions of the United States.

Meanwhile, Jorge Rodríguez used the parliamentary session to deliver a direct message following Maduro's detention.

"My role in the coming days will be to use all procedures, all platforms, and all spaces to bring back Nicolás Maduro Moro, my brother, my president," Rodríguez stated to the deputies while calling for applause for those he referred to as "fallen heroes on January 3."

The moment did not go unnoticed. During his swearing-in, Jorge Rodríguez repeated a gesture previously made by Nicolás Maduro after his arrest, as reported by the Alerta Mundial account on X.

This gesture was seen as a sign of unity and political backing amid an environment marked by uncertainty and the emotional impact of the leader's detention.

Yesterday, Delcy Rodríguez asserted that her administration is open to a relationship "of respect" and "within the framework of international legality" with the U.S.

Rodríguez made these statements from Caracas while demanding the "immediate release" of Maduro, whom she described as the country's "only president."

In her remarks, she noted that "the Venezuelan people... are outraged" over what she termed an "illegal and illegitimate kidnapping" of both the leader and Flores and confirmed that "all of Venezuela" has been activated.

Politically, the vice president declared that the nation "will not be anyone's colony" and branded the events as "barbaric," claiming they violate international law.

In the latter part of her speech, Rodríguez set the terms for any future discussions.

"We are ready for a respectful relationship... within the framework of international legality and the laws of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela," she concluded, "It is the only condition we will accept for any form of relationship" after what she described as an assault and military aggression against the nation and Caracas.

The appearance followed President Trump's assertion that his team had communicated with Rodríguez and that she had shown herself "open" to Washington, though the transcript did not provide further details on the interaction.

The U.S. President guaranteed that his administration will oversee Venezuela and its oil revenues following Nicolás Maduro's capture, with Delcy Rodríguez leading a transitional government under conditions set by Washington.