In a dramatic turn of events on Jan. 5, 2026, Delcy Rodriguez was sworn in as the acting president of Venezuela, stepping up after President Nicolas Maduro was taken into custody during a U.S. military operation earlier this week.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Jan. 3, saw U.S. forces launch strikes on Venezuelan territory and detain President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, before transporting them to New York. The move sparked widespread condemnation across Latin America and beyond.
Speaking at a formal ceremony in Caracas, Rodriguez, who previously served as vice president, opened her address with a message for the nation: “I come with pain, because of the suffering that has been caused to the Venezuelan people, following an illegitimate military aggression against our homeland.”
She vowed unwavering dedication: “I swear by the people of Venezuela not to rest even a minute to guarantee the peace of the Republic.” Rodriguez also called for unity, urging citizens to stand together “in these terrible hours of threat to the stability and peace of the nation.”
As acting president, Rodriguez faces the immediate challenge of navigating a nation under foreign intervention while working to restore stability and reassure Venezuelans at home and abroad. 🤝🇻🇪
The unfolding situation in Venezuela remains fluid, with international leaders watching closely as the country seeks a path forward in the wake of unprecedented events.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
