Delcy Rodríguez Sworn In as Venezuela’s Interim President

Venezuela’s Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as the country’s interim president on Monday, following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro by the United States. The oath was administered by National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez, her brother, during a parliamentary session in Caracas.

The swearing-in took place amid calls from lawmakers demanding the release of Maduro, who is currently in U.S. custody. Earlier the same day, Maduro appeared in a New York courtroom, where he pleaded not guilty to four charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism. During the hearing, he insisted that he remains Venezuela’s legitimate president.

Delcy Rodríguez, a 56-year-old labor lawyer, is known for her close ties to the ruling party and strong connections with the private sector. Her appointment was approved during a session in which 283 lawmakers elected in parliamentary elections held in May last year were also sworn in. Only a small fraction of those lawmakers belong to opposition parties, as most major opposition groups, including the faction led by Nobel Prize laureate María Corina Machado, boycotted the elections.

First Lady Cilia Flores, who is currently detained in the United States, was the only elected lawmaker absent from the session.

The developments have sparked sharp criticism at the United Nations, with several countries questioning the legality of Washington’s actions. The U.S. administration defended its move, arguing that Maduro was an illegitimate leader unfit to govern Venezuela or control its vast energy resources.

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