Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez extended an invitation to the United States for cooperation on shared development, marking a shift from her earlier condemnation of the operation that captured Nicolás Maduro. Rodríguez, sworn in as interim leader by Venezuela’s Supreme Court following Maduro’s removal, posted a statement Sunday calling for a balanced and respectful relationship with Washington.
The message came after Rodríguez initially described the U.S. action as a barbaric kidnapping and violation of sovereignty. She stressed that Venezuela aspires to live without external threats and emphasized peace and dialogue over conflict. Rodríguez addressed President Trump directly, noting that Maduro’s position had always favored dialogue and that this reflects the view of all Venezuelans now.
President Trump responded positively, stating Rodríguez is cooperating and that the U.S. is dealing with the new leadership in Caracas. Trump warned that failure to align with U.S. objectives could lead to severe consequences but highlighted ongoing communications, including talks between Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Venezuelan officials.
The shift allows the Trump administration to prioritize stabilizing Venezuela’s oil infrastructure and security without immediate ground troop deployment. U.S. officials view Rodríguez as a potential partner for transition, given her background as a technocrat, despite past sanctions and ties to Maduro.
Opposition leaders María Corina Machado and Edmundo González continue pushing for González to assume power as the 2024 election winner. Machado urged the military to recognize González, but Trump has dismissed rapid opposition takeover, focusing instead on practical control through existing structures.
International reactions remain mixed, with some Latin American nations condemning the U.S. intervention while others hope for democratic progress. The U.S. maintains a strong military presence in the region to ensure compliance.
Rodríguez’s commission seeks Maduro’s release, but her cooperative tone opens doors for U.S. access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves. Markets anticipate potential boosts for American energy firms as reconstruction begins.
This development reduces risks of immediate escalation, allowing time for negotiations on elections and reforms. Trump reiterated the U.S. goal of making Venezuela great again through American involvement.
