Venezuela’s Acting President Rejects US Orders Amid Political Transition

Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has said she has had “enough” of Washington’s orders, as she navigates a delicate political transition following the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro.

Speaking to oil workers in Puerto La Cruz, Rodríguez emphasized that Venezuela’s internal conflicts should be resolved by Venezuelans themselves, without foreign interference. “Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and our internal conflicts,” she said, highlighting the country’s right to self-determination.

Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy, has sought to balance pressure from the United States with domestic political realities, including support from Maduro loyalists. She rejected US directives over oil production and foreign partnerships, asserting that the country must chart its own path.

Since early January, Washington has maintained pressure on Caracas, following Maduro’s capture and his transfer to the US. The White House outlined demands including control over oil production and shifts in Venezuela’s international alliances, though Rodríguez has emphasized dialogue over confrontation.

Venezuela continues to face divisions among Maduro loyalists, opposition groups, and supporters of the late Hugo Chávez. Rodríguez’s remarks signal her intent to pursue national unity while resisting external pressure.