Delcy Rodríguez, a longtime ally of Nicolás Maduro, was hastily sworn in as Venezuela’s acting president on Sunday, hours after U.S. forces extracted the ousted leader from Caracas in a daring weekend raid. Rodríguez pledged to uphold Maduro’s legacy while cautiously extending an olive branch to Washington, calling for “respectful dialogue” to avoid further escalation.
The ceremony took place in a heavily guarded government palace, broadcast live on state television to a nation still reeling from Saturday’s violence. Rodríguez, formerly Maduro’s vice president, appeared somber as she took the oath, surrounded by military officials and socialist party loyalists. “Nicolás Maduro remains the legitimate president in the hearts of Venezuelans,” she declared, labeling the U.S. operation an “imperialist aggression” but stopping short of outright confrontation.
In the streets of Caracas, an uneasy calm prevailed under intensified security patrols. Residents reported sporadic protests in pro-Maduro strongholds, met with tear gas and arrests. Official tallies confirmed over 80 fatalities from the raid, including Venezuelan troops and Cuban advisors who had been bolstering the regime’s defenses.
The swift transition comes as President Donald Trump initially boasted that the United States would directly “run” Venezuela to safeguard its enormous oil reserves—the largest proven in the world—and restore order after years of economic collapse. However, administration officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, quickly clarified that the focus is on supporting a “peaceful transition” rather than indefinite occupation. Trump reiterated threats of additional military action if the new interim government fails to cooperate fully, while issuing warnings to neighboring countries like Colombia over ongoing drug trafficking routes.
Global reaction remains sharply critical. At the United Nations, Russia and China demanded an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces, with Beijing warning of “severe consequences” for international stability. Cuba announced a period of national mourning for its fallen personnel, and several Latin American nations echoed calls for respect of sovereignty. A Reuters/Ipsos survey found divided American sentiment, with only around one-third approving the intervention overall, though Republican support hovered near 65%.
Financial markets reacted positively to the uncertainty over Venezuela’s oil output, sending energy stocks soaring and briefly lifting the Dow to new records on Monday. Analysts caution, however, that prolonged instability could spike global crude prices and invite broader geopolitical fallout.
As Rodríguez consolidates power and navigates pressure from both domestic hardliners and the Trump administration, the path forward for Venezuela—and its critical role in global energy—hangs in the balance. Diplomatic maneuvers are expected to intensify in the coming days, with potential emergency sessions at the UN and quiet back-channel talks between Caracas and Washington.