A seismic shift has occurred in Venezuela, triggering a constitutional crisis and escalating tensions with the United States. Following the unprecedented apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by US authorities, the nation’s Supreme Court has appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as interim president. The move, formalized in a court statement, designates Rodríguez to assume all presidential powers and responsibilities, ostensibly to ensure administrative continuity and national defense during this period of extreme instability. Crucially, the court stopped short of formally removing Maduro from his position, leaving his future status subject to ongoing legal proceedings.
The US government, spearheaded by President Donald Trump, has signaled a willingness for Rodríguez to cooperate, a proposition she has vehemently rejected. In a forceful statement released shortly after the court’s decision, Rodríguez condemned the US action as “brutal” and “callous” demanding Maduro’s immediate release alongside that of First Lady Cilia Flores, who is also reportedly facing scrutiny. The language underscores the deep animosity and distrust that now pervades the relationship between Caracas and Washington.
Maduro himself has arrived in New York and is currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, awaiting his legal proceedings. The MDC’s reputation for harsh conditions – and its prior history of housing controversial figures – is likely to further fuel Venezuelan government narratives of US overreach and political persecution.
The legality and legitimacy of the Supreme Court’s appointment of Rodríguez remain fiercely contested. Critics, both within Venezuela and internationally, question its constitutional basis given the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Maduro’s detention. This event raises profound questions regarding US sovereign interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs, potentially setting a dangerous precedent for international relations and the principles of national self-determination. The long-term implications for Venezuela’s political stability and its ability to function independently are now deeply uncertain, as the country navigates this unprecedented and highly volatile situation. The international community faces mounting pressure to respond, balancing condemnation of any egregious violations of due process with recognition of the evolving political landscape.
