Venezuela’s political landscape was rocked on Monday when Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the country’s interim president. This came just days after the United States seized former president Nicolas Maduro, flying him to New York to face serious drug charges.
During a ceremony in the National Assembly, Rodriguez pledged to govern “in the name of all Venezuelans” and expressed her anguish over Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, being “kidnapped” by the US. Both are accused, along with other Venezuelan officials, of drug crimes in America.
Venezuela’s parliament wasted no time condemning the US operation, calling it a shocking military attack, and threw their full support behind Rodriguez. Outside the legislature, huge crowds gathered, chanting, “Maduro, hold on: Venezuela is rising!” in protest and demanding Maduro’s release.
One protester, Flur Alberto, summed up the mood, telling AFP, “Regardless of whether Nicolas Maduro has something to answer for in court, this was not the way to do it.”
Inside the Assembly, lawmakers rallied around Rodriguez, Maduro’s former vice president, and re-elected her brother Jorge Rodriguez as parliament speaker. As the session kicked off, politicians chanted, “Let’s go, Nico!”—a slogan from Maduro’s campaign that was widely criticized by opposition leaders and foreign governments.
The drama started early Saturday when, under President Donald Trump’s orders, US forces struck Caracas and quickly apprehended Maduro and his wife. They were whisked off to New York to stand trial for drug trafficking.
Senior lawmaker Fernando Soto Rojas sounded defiant in the face of American intervention. “Trump thinks he’s the prosecutor, judge, and policeman of the world. We won’t let him win,” he told his colleagues, promising to rally support for Maduro’s return to Miraflores, the presidential palace.
Tensions spilled onto the streets late Monday, with witnesses reporting gunfire near Miraflores Palace. According to sources, drones were spotted overhead and security forces fired shots in response, but authorities said the situation was under control.
Meanwhile, in Manhattan federal court, Maduro appeared in prison clothing, listened to the charges against him, and pleaded not guilty to four counts including narco-terrorism and cocaine importation. “I am innocent. I am not guilty. I am a decent man. I am still president of my country,” Maduro declared before being interrupted by Judge Alvin Heller
