Delcy Rodriguez steps in as Venezuela’s acting president after Maduro’s arrest, as the nation braces for political and global fallout.
Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez addresses officials after being named acting president amid national turmoil (Photo: Reuters)
Venezuela has entered another uncertain chapter following the sudden removal of Nicolas Maduro from power. The former head of state is in American custody, it seems the Supreme Court in this nation has not delayed in ensuring there is not a leadership void. The appointment of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has already changed the political environment overnight with concerns about leadership, legitimized rule and what the future holds for this global-focused nation.
Delcy Rodriguez a 56 years old, is one of the most influential figures within Venezuela’s ruling establishment. She is known for her firm public style and loyalty to the chavista movement, she has long operated at the center of power rather than its margins. To supporters, she is a steady hand in moments of crisis and to critics, she represents continuity with a system they blame for years of economic collapse and political repression.
The Supreme Court’s Constitutional Chamber formally ordered Rodriguez to assume the role of acting president, citing the need to ensure administrative continuity and national defense. The ruling came just a day after Maduro’s arrest, signaling the court’s intent to keep the state functioning despite extraordinary circumstances. While US President Donald Trump suggested Washington could coordinate with her during a transition period, Rodriguez has publicly rejected the legitimacy of the US operation and demanded Maduro’s release.
Rodriguez’s rise has been methodical and trained as a lawyer, she first gained prominence as communications minister, later serving as foreign minister where she became a sharp defender of the Maduro government on the international stage. Since 2018, she has held the powerful post of vice president while also overseeing key economic portfolios including finance and oil. Her influence stretches across civilian institutions and into the security establishment.
Her father, Jorge Antonio Rodriguez was a leftist activist whose death in the 1970s shaped the family’s political identity. Her brother, Jorge Rodriguez currently heads the National Assembly, making the siblings two of the most powerful figures in the country together, they represent the inner circle of Venezuela’s ruling elite.
