In a significant escalation of the ongoing political crisis in Venezuela, US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to the country's new interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez. He stated she could face consequences even harsher than those imposed on former president Nicolas Maduro if she does not align with Washington's demands.
A Dramatic Shift in Tone Following Military Operation
The warning came during a telephone interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, just a day after Trump had publicly praised Rodriguez. This shift followed a dramatic US military operation in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, which resulted in the seizure of Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Trump explicitly stated that Rodriguez would "pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro" if she failed to "do what's right."
The hardening of Trump's stance appears to be a direct response to Rodriguez's defiant speech after Maduro's capture. She had asserted Venezuela's readiness to defend its sovereignty and natural resources, countering Trump's earlier declaration that Washington intended to "run" the Caribbean nation and access its vast oil reserves.
Contradictory Statements and a Call for Cooperation
Earlier, following Maduro's capture, Trump told reporters the US would "run the country until a safe, proper and judicious transition" could be ensured. However, this assertion was later contradicted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting internal discrepancies within the US administration's public messaging.
Despite the warning, Trump indicated that Rodriguez had shown a willingness to cooperate. He revealed she had engaged in lengthy discussions with Secretary Rubio and had expressed readiness to do "whatever" the United States required. "I think she was quite gracious," Trump added, while emphasising the US objective to prevent any other force from taking over Venezuela without the people's welfare in mind.
Venezuela's Defiance and Legal Appointments
In the wake of Maduro's detention, the Venezuelan court moved swiftly to appoint Delcy Rodriguez as the interim president, a move in line with the nation's constitution. Standing alongside senior civilian and military leaders, Rodriguez delivered a forceful rejection of the US action.
She demanded the immediate release of Maduro and Flores, labelling the US military operation a blatant violation of international law. "There is only one president in this country, and his name is Nicolas Maduro," Rodriguez declared, cementing her position against external intervention and setting the stage for a tense geopolitical standoff.
The situation remains fluid, with the US applying intense pressure on the new Venezuelan leadership while the latter digs in to defend national sovereignty. The world watches closely as this high-stakes confrontation over Venezuela's future and its valuable natural resources continues to unfold.
