Rodriguez Sworn In As Venezuela’s Interim President

Venezuela’s parliament, on Monday, swore in Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as interim president, two days after United States forces invaded the country and arrested President Nicolas Maduro and flew him to New York to face drug trafficking charges.

Rodriguez took the oath of office before the National Assembly, declaring: “I take this oath in the name of all Venezuelans. I am in pain over the kidnapping of our heroes, the hostages in the United States.”

She was referring to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

The parliamentary session also saw the re-election of her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, as Speaker of the Assembly, effectively consolidating executive and legislative power within the Rodriguez family.

Addressing lawmakers, Jorge Rodriguez vowed efforts to secure Maduro’s return, saying: “All procedures, all platforms, and all avenues will be pursued to bring back Nicolas Maduro Moros, my brother, my president.”

Maduro’s son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, also spoke during the session, assuring supporters of continuity in leadership: “Count on me, count on my family. Venezuela is in good hands until my parents return.”

Outside the National Assembly, protests continued as thousands of demonstrators marched through Caracas in support of Maduro.

The parliamentary session opened with lawmakers chanting “Let’s go Nico!”, a campaign slogan from Maduro’s disputed 2024 re-election, which was widely criticised by the international community.

Tension remained high in the capital following Rodriguez’s swearing-in, with witnesses reporting gunshots near the Miraflores presidential palace and drones flying overhead. Authorities later said security forces had brought the situation under control.

The Supreme Court had authorised Rodriguez to assume office in an acting capacity on Saturday, while the military publicly pledged its support a day later.

Venezuela’s ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV) and its allies currently control 256 of the 286 seats in parliament, following elections last May that were largely boycotted by opposition parties.