Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, delivered a resolute speech asserting the nation’s sovereignty following Donald Trump‘s recent threats regarding Venezuela’s political future. Rodríguez emphasized that no foreign power governs Venezuela, directly responding to Trump’s claim that his administration would oversee the country’s transition and warning her of severe consequences should she fail to comply with U.S. demands.
In a televised address after the establishment of an economic and food-security commission, Rodríguez stated, “We are governing here with the people. The government of Venezuela rules our country—no one else. There is no external agent governing Venezuela.” She firmly added, addressing the threats, “Those who threaten me—I say this clearly—my destiny is decided only by God.”
The timing of Rodríguez’s comments is significant; she was sworn in on October 23, 2023, following a U.S.-led operation that captured Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Rodríguez mentioned that Venezuelans are mobilizing to demand their release.
Trump has indicated that senior officials—including Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, Stephen Miller, and JD Vance—would be responsible for overseeing this transition, stating he would make final decisions on the matter. Notably, Rodríguez’s recent comments contrast sharply with a more conciliatory message she published on October 22, 2023. In that statement, she urged the U.S. to “work jointly on a cooperation agenda” and called for “peace and dialogue, not war,” advocating for “balanced and respectful international relations” based on sovereignty and non-interference, without referencing Maduro’s capture.
Trump’s remarks during an The Atlantic interview heightened concerns, as he warned that Rodríguez would “pay a very high price, probably bigger than Maduro,” if she did not align with U.S. expectations. He indicated that pressure on her would persist, including the potential for further military action.
According to reporting by Politico, U.S. officials have presented Rodríguez with a list of demands. These include cracking down on drug trafficking, expelling Iranian, Cuban, and other hostile operatives, and halting oil sales to U.S. adversaries. Officials expect her to facilitate elections in the future, although they have made it clear that there is no immediate timetable for such actions.
Rodríguez’s defiance reflects the complex and volatile political landscape in Venezuela, where the influence of foreign governments, particularly the United States, continues to be a contentious issue. As tensions escalate, the international community watches closely to see how the situation unfolds in the coming weeks and months.
