For the second time since being captured in a U.S. military operation, Nicolás Maduro has sent a message from the prison where he is held alongside his wife, Cilia Flores.
This time, the focus was on Delcy Rodríguez, the current acting president of Venezuela.
"Trust in Delcy," was the slogan delivered on Tuesday by Nicolás Maduro Guerra, his son, to hundreds of supporters in Caracas.
The message was shared during a pro-government rally in the Venezuelan capital, as part of efforts demanding the release of Maduro and his wife, who have been detained since January 3rd.
"Trust in Delcy, in the team leading us, and in us. That was the message they sent," stated Maduro Guerra from the stage.
According to the young parliamentarian, the communication came through the legal team representing Maduro in the United States.
He mentioned that both his father and Cilia Flores wanted to convey a message of resilience, steadfastness, and complete trust in those who have taken the reins of power.
"We received a message from him and her; they conveyed that they are strong and unwavering, aware of the fight ahead, with a clear conscience and faith in God and the Venezuelan people," Maduro Guerra assured.
He emphasized that the message was not just a demonstration of personal strength, but a clear political directive to rally around the Chavista leadership still functioning in Venezuela.
In this context, he called for unity and ideological clarity against what he described as attempts to create division.
"We must remain united and not let anything divide us. They will try to spread confusion, but we must maintain political and ideological clarity," he declared at another point.
Solidarity with Delcy, Jorge, and Diosdado
During his speech, Maduro Guerra stressed the importance of maintaining cohesion within Chavismo and offering unwavering support to the figures currently leading the transitional government.
"The strength of Chavismo lies in unity, and no matter what happens, we must keep our collective confidence: confidence in him [Nicolás Maduro], confidence in Jorge [Rodríguez], and confidence in Diosdado [Cabello]. I told myself: Nico, stand with them," he proclaimed.
The message also seemed to address sectors within Chavismo that might feel uneasy or disoriented due to the power vacuum left by the ex-president's capture.
With this declaration, Nicolás Maduro Guerra sought to reaffirm the leadership structure within the PSUV and its political hierarchy.
Delcy Rodríguez at the Helm
After Maduro's capture in a U.S. military intervention that resulted in over a hundred deaths and numerous injuries, Delcy Rodríguez assumed the interim presidency by the Supreme Court's decision.
Rodríguez has positioned herself as a guardian of institutional continuity and emphasized that her role is temporary.
"There is no doubt here; the Venezuelan people are in charge. I am responsible for steering the government while we work towards freeing President Maduro," she recently stated during a visit to Petare.
Chavista Endurance Reaffirmed
This marks the second time Maduro has communicated from prison. The first message was read last Saturday, also by Nicolás Maduro Guerra, during a PSUV event.
On that occasion, the former president asserted that he had not been defeated despite the military operation and urged continued resistance.
"He said we shouldn’t be sad, that we’re doing well; we are fighters. He remains strong; they couldn't defeat him by any means," Maduro Guerra added.
He continued: "I am a fighter, a man they couldn't overcome by any means; they had to use disproportionate force, but they didn’t defeat me."
The initial message concluded with a political slogan that Chavismo has begun to echo in their gatherings: preserve life, maintain power, and uphold the revolution.
"We will preserve life, maintain power, uphold the revolution, and we must move forward to keep Venezuelan democracy alive."
Protests Amidst Tense Atmosphere
The deputy's remarks came amidst a transportation sector worker rally in Caracas, part of a series of demonstrations organized by the government since January 3rd.
Women, students, community activists, public employees, farmers, and indigenous groups have all marched, demanding the release of Maduro and Flores.
Simultaneously, the government has reported that bodies remain unidentified following the U.S. military attack.
According to the Interior Minister, many victims are missing, and their remains have yet to be fully recovered.
Despite apparent calm in the streets, authorities acknowledge that the nation is experiencing a "tense calm," with lingering fear among some of the populace.
In this scenario, Maduro's message from prison appears crafted to bolster his supporters' morale, demonstrate political strength, and legitimize Delcy Rodríguez's continued leadership of the government.
Understanding Nicolás Maduro's Imprisonment and Its Implications
Why was Nicolás Maduro captured?
Nicolás Maduro was captured during a U.S. military operation aimed at his arrest due to his leadership in Venezuela, which has been marked by significant controversy and international criticism.
Who is Delcy Rodríguez?
Delcy Rodríguez is currently the acting president of Venezuela, having assumed the role following Nicolás Maduro's capture. She is focused on maintaining institutional continuity.
What message did Nicolás Maduro send from prison?
From prison, Nicolás Maduro sent a message of resilience and trust, urging support for Delcy Rodríguez and the current leadership, emphasizing unity and ideological clarity within Chavismo.