In a dramatic shift, Venezuela's new acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, has extended an olive branch to the United States government, just a day after delivering a fiery speech accusing the Trump administration of illegally abducting the country's head of state, Nicolas Maduro.
From Accusations to an Invitation for Dialogue
The 56-year-old former foreign minister, who was Maduro's vice president, released a statement on Sunday night striking a notably more diplomatic tone. The statement was posted on social media platforms. In it, Rodriguez asserted that Venezuela "aspires to live without external threats" and firmly holds "a right to sovereignty."
However, she quickly moved to a more conciliatory position. "We extend an invitation to the US govt to work together on a cooperative agenda, oriented toward shared development, within the framework of international law, and to strengthen lasting community coexistence," she wrote. This marked a stark contrast to her previous day's rhetoric.
A Weekend of Political Turmoil and Conflicting Claims
The crisis erupted on Saturday when Nicolas Maduro was reportedly taken out of Venezuela by force and in handcuffs. Following this event, Delcy Rodriguez initially refused to acknowledge her new role, referring to Maduro as the nation's "only" president.
In a news conference announcing Maduro's capture, US President Donald Trump stated that Rodriguez had spoken to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and had agreed to cooperate in forming a transition government. Yet, hours later, Rodriguez publicly denounced the United States, accusing it of invading Venezuela and demanding Maduro's immediate return.
President Trump responded with a public threat. In an interview with The Atlantic on Sunday, he warned, "if she doesn't do what's right, she is going to pay a very big price." Notably, Rodriguez's Sunday night statement did not repeat the demand for Maduro's release, signaling a potential strategic pivot.
Consolidating Power and Calling for Peace
On the same Sunday, the Venezuelan Supreme Court officially declared Delcy Rodriguez as the country's acting president, solidifying her legal standing. In her addressed statement to Trump, Rodriguez emphasized a desire for peaceful resolution. "Our people and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. That has always been President Nicolas Maduro's position, and it is the position of all of Venezuela at this moment," she stated.
The situation remains fluid and highly tense. The rapid succession of events—from the forced removal of a sitting president, to conflicting narratives from Washington and Caracas, and now a sudden diplomatic overture—highlights the volatile nature of the ongoing Venezuela crisis. The world watches closely to see if this invitation for a "cooperative agenda" will lead to de-escalation or is merely a tactical pause in a deepening confrontation.
