Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has pivoted to a conciliatory stance towards the United States, offering an agenda of cooperation just hours after former US President Donald Trump issued a stark warning that she could face severe consequences.
From Defiance to Diplomacy
The dramatic shift in tone came during a press conference at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas on 10 March 2025. This followed the shocking capture and rendition of the country's former leader, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife Cilia Flores, to New York on Saturday. The couple are due to appear at a federal court in Manhattan.
Initially, in her first public remarks after Maduro's capture, Rodríguez struck a defiant note, declaring Venezuela would "never again be anyone's colony". However, after chairing her first cabinet meeting on Sunday night, her position softened markedly.
In a formal statement, Rodríguez said she had "invited the US government to work together on an agenda of cooperation". She emphasised the priority of a "balanced and respectful" relationship, adding: "We extend an invitation to the government of the US to work jointly on an agenda of cooperation, aimed at shared development, within the framework of international law."
Trump's Threats and a Sidestepped Opposition
Rodríguez's olive branch was extended directly to Donald Trump, who had earlier warned that Maduro's former vice-president could "pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro" if she did not comply with his wishes. Trump stated the US would now "run" Venezuela to oversee a transition and claimed Secretary of State Marco Rubio had been in contact with Rodríguez.
This move by Trump has effectively marginalised Venezuela's democratic opposition, led by Nobel prizewinner María Corina Machado. Analysts have criticised the strategy, arguing it leaves the regime's power structure intact, merely replacing its figurehead.
Rodríguez's authority was cemented on Saturday when she was sworn in by the supreme court. The following day, the heads of Venezuela's armed forces agreed to recognise her, while still demanding Maduro's release.
Underlying Tensions and Casualties
Despite the diplomatic language, underlying hostilities were laid bare. The Venezuelan government paid tribute to 32 "Cuban combatants" from Maduro's security detail who died during the operation. Defence Minister Gen Vladímir Padrino López accused US troops of "cold-bloodedly assassinating" members of the detail and civilians, with the New York Times reporting a death toll of around 80.
In her message to Trump, Rodríguez appealed for peace: "President Donald Trump: our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war. That has always been President Nicolás Maduro’s conviction and it is that of all Venezuela at this moment." She concluded by affirming Venezuela's right to "peace, development, sovereignty and a future".
The situation presents a delicate balancing act for the interim leader, who must navigate US demands while maintaining control and legitimacy at home, all under the shadow of continued threat from Washington.
