Delcy Rodríguez Plans Presidential Bid in Venezuela

Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez plans to run in the country’s upcoming presidential elections, according to documentation registered with the United States government.

On April 14, 2026, Rodríguez registered California-based lawyer Jihad Smaili to represent her before the U.S. Justice Department under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). The registration specifies that Smaili will provide services related to a future political campaign and Rodríguez’s participation in the upcoming presidential elections in Venezuela.

The legal representation also extends to pending and future litigation involving the state oil company Pdvsa, its subsidiary Citgo, and various creditor claims. Smaili is tasked with providing daily advice on interactions with the White House and the State Department to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.

Transition of Power

Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. Special forces on January 3, 2026. Maduro was transferred to New York to face trial for drug trafficking.

While Rodríguez initially condemned the operation as a kidnapping, her position shifted within 24 hours. On January 4, 2026, she invited the U.S. Government to work on a cooperative agenda. This shift followed comments from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that Rodríguez was essentially willing to do what we think is necessary to make Venezuela great again.

With the approval of the Supreme Court and the military, Rodríguez took the oath of office before the National Assembly on January 5, 2026. The National Assembly has been chaired by her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, since January 2021.

U.S. Cooperation and Sanctions

Following the transition, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio introduced a three-phase plan for cooperation. The first phase, focused on the consolidation of internal power, involves filling the vacuum left by Maduro’s removal.

As part of the normalizing relations, the U.S. Government lifted sanctions against Delcy Rodríguez on April 1, 2026. President Trump praised Rodríguez as a willing negotiating partner during the process.

Diplomatic engagement has continued through high-level meetings, including a March 4, 2026, meeting at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas between Rodríguez and U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

Internal Consolidation and Personnel Changes

Since taking office, Rodríguez has consolidated control over the administration, the military, and the judiciary. Within her first few weeks, she filled at least 12 top government positions.

A significant shift occurred in March 2026, when Foreign Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez stepped down. He was replaced by Gustavo Gonzalez Lopez, the former head of the secret service agency SEBIN, who had been appointed as the head of Rodríguez’s personal guard in early January 2026.

Economic Reforms and Investment

On April 15, 2026, Rodríguez addressed a Saudi-backed investment summit in Miami to attract capital to Venezuela’s oil sector. She presented a reformed industry that has opened to private capital, international arbitration, and increased scrutiny.

Rodríguez projected that Venezuela will experience double-digit economic growth this year and for the following two years. During her presentation, she emphasized the security of the current investment climate:

…investors know that, regardless of political changes or restrictive circumstances, there is security, that Venezuela has laws that allow for the safe return of their investments.

Delcy Rodríguez

She further stated that the government is implementing the reforms needed for a productive environment and to attract investments that will diversify the engines of the Venezuelan economy.

While Rodríguez prepares for a presidential bid, no official date has been set for the elections. Opposition leader María Corina Machado remains outside of Venezuela.