Acting President Ends U.S. Policy – ‘Enough!’

Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez has asserted her opposition to U.S. directives, as she works to consolidate power following the U.S. capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro.

Pushing Back Against Washington

Rodríguez has navigated a complex political landscape since being backed by the U.S. to lead the country in an interim capacity, balancing the need to maintain support from Maduro loyalists while also satisfying the White House.

Almost a month into her role, Rodríguez has publicly challenged U.S. pressure, including demands for Venezuela to resume oil production.

“Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela,” she told oil workers in Puerto La Cruz city, in a speech broadcast by state-run Venezolana de Televisión. “Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and our internal conflicts. This Republic has paid a very high price for having to confront the consequences of fascism and extremism in our country.”

The White House has continued to exert pressure on Venezuela since Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken into U.S. custody in early January, where the former leader faces charges.

Rodríguez, who previously served as Maduro’s deputy, has maintained that the U.S. does not govern Venezuela, but has avoided direct confrontation with Washington.

President Donald Trump initially claimed the U.S. would “run” Venezuela after Maduro’s capture, but later endorsed Rodríguez as the country’s interim leader. Earlier this month, Trump stated he had spoken with Rodríguez by phone, describing her as a “terrific person” and adding, “I think we’re getting along very well with Venezuela.”

Seeking Stability

For the past 25 years, oil-rich Venezuela has been in frequent conflict with the U.S. Following Maduro’s removal, Washington is now focused on establishing a stable authority in Caracas.

Internal divisions exist among Maduro loyalists, left-wing factions opposed to the government’s direction, and “Chavistas No-Maduristas” – supporters of the late Hugo Chávez who accuse Maduro of betraying 21st-century socialist ideals.

Venezuelan opposition leaders are also observing the situation, with their future involvement remaining uncertain. Trump recently expressed a desire to see opposition leader María Corina Machado “involved” in the country’s leadership, after she met with him at the White House and presented him with her Nobel Peace Prize.

Demands from the U.S.

Days after U.S. actions in Caracas in early January, the Trump administration outlined several demands for Venezuela, including severing ties with China, Iran, Russia, and Cuba, and exclusively partnering with the U.S. on oil production, according to senior White House officials.

Rodríguez was also expected to prioritize the Trump administration and U.S. oil companies for future oil sales.

Venezuela possesses the world’s largest reserves of extra-heavy crude, which requires specialized and costly refining but is compatible with U.S. refineries.

Prisoners Released

The U.S. has also called for the release of political prisoners held in Venezuela.

On Sunday, at least 104 people were released, according to the rights group Foro Penal, marking one of the highest daily figures since the government announced on Jan. 8 that it would release “a significant number” of detainees as a “peace” gesture to the U.S.

Foro Penal reports that at least 266 people have been released since then.

CNN has contacted the Venezuelan government for further information.

Rodríguez stated on Friday that 626 people had been released from prison in recent weeks and that she would contact the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, to verify the list, which has not been made public despite requests from activists and opposition members.