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Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez said Sunday she has had “enough” of Washington’s orders, as she works to unite the country after the U.S. capture of its former leader Nicolás Maduro.
Rodríguez has been walking a tight-rope since being backed by the U.S. to lead the country in the interim; balancing keeping Maduro loyalists on board at home while trying to ensure the White House is happy.
now, almost a month into her new role, Rodríguez has pushed back on the U.S., amid ongoing pressure including a series of demands for Venezuela to resume oil production.
“Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela,” she told a group of oil workers in puerto La Cruz city, at an event broadcast by state-run channel Venezolana de Televisión.
“Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and our internal conflicts. This Republic has paid a very high price for having to confront the consequences of fascism and extremism in our country.”
The White House has maintained steady pressure on Venezuela as Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized in a raid in early January and taken to the US, where the former leader is facing charges.
Rodríguez, Maduro’s former deputy, has insisted in recent weeks that the U.S. does not govern Venezuela but, equally, has not sought confrontation wiht Washington.
U.S. President Donald Trump had claimed the U.S. was “going to run” Venezuela in the immediate aftermath of Maduro’s capture, but he later backed Rodríguez as the country’s interim leader. Earlier this month, Trump said he had spoken by phone with the acting Venezuelan leader and praised her as a “terrific person.” “I think we’re getting along very well with Venezuela,” he added.
CNN has contacted the White House for comment on Rodríguez’s latest statement.
U.S. Department of State – Venezuela). The U.S. has consistently called for the release of political prisoners in Venezuela as a condition for easing sanctions and normalizing relations. * 104 Released on Sunday (Jan 21, 2024): Confirmed by Foro Penal (Foro Penal),a Venezuelan human rights organization. Reports from Reuters (Reuters – Venezuela releases over 100 political prisoners) and Associated Press (
