Delcy Rodríguez Sends Strong Message to the U.S.: "If I Ever Go to Washington, It Will Be Standing, Not Crawling"

In a bold statement aimed at the United States, interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez declared during her address to the Parliament that if she ever had to travel to Washington, she would do so standing, with dignity, not crawling.

According to reports from the EFE agency, Rodríguez accused the United States of enforcing a "naval blockade" prior to the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, and attempting to "stifle Venezuela's ability to sell its oil products abroad."

Addressing the deputies, Rodríguez said, "I would like to begin by asking, on behalf of everyone here, for a round of applause for our young heroes and heroines who fell in battle against the invading aggressor," referring to the U.S. troops involved in the military operation that led to the capture of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

During her speech at the Federal Legislative Palace in Caracas, the interim leader called for "honor and glory" for the "humble young Venezuelans" who, she claimed, "fought in the dark early hours of January 3."

Rodríguez asserted that the American "naval blockade" has been aimed at preventing Venezuelan oil exports from being conducted freely and commercially.

"It's not that the interim president is afraid because she feels threatened. No. All of Venezuela is under threat," she stated, before delivering her most quoted line of the day: "If I ever have to go to Washington as the interim president, I will do so standing, with the tricolor flag, not crawling."

The Chavista official accused Washington of having "invaded, attacked, and kidnapped" President Maduro and his wife, labeling the U.S. military operation as "a stain" on relations between the two countries.

Rodríguez presented her management report to the National Assembly, surrounded by high-ranking regime officials, including Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López and Supreme Court President Caryslia Rodríguez. Leading figures from the ruling party and moderate opposition representatives were also in attendance.

In her address, she emphasized that the Chavista government is committed to "a plan for this new year," despite international isolation and sanctions imposed by the United States.

She condemned the recent orders to seize sanctioned oil tankers by Washington as "a precursor" to the capture of Maduro and Flores, carried out by U.S. forces in Caracas and other parts of the country.

The interim president reiterated her government's commitment to "defending Venezuela's peace" and expressed willingness to maintain a "cooperative agenda" with the United States. She mentioned having spoken with President Donald Trump this week about bilateral issues and the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations.

Rodríguez assumed her role as interim head of state on January 5, following a Supreme Court decision granting her the authority to "ensure administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the nation."

Her speech, filled with nationalist rhetoric and criticism of Washington, comes at a time when the Chavista regime seeks to maintain internal unity following Maduro's detention and Rodríguez's emergence as the regime's face to the international community.