Delcy Rodriguez Assumes Power in Venezuela After US Detains President Nicolas Maduro

Caracas: Following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the United States, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez has assumed presidential responsibilities. The Constitutional Chamber of the Venezuelan Supreme Court issued an order to this effect. Under Articles 233 and 234 of Venezuelan law, presidential powers are to be transferred to the Vice President in the event of the President’s absence, and the decision was taken based on these provisions. In addition to serving as Vice President, Delcy Rodriguez had also been handling the Finance and Oil portfolios.

After the abduction of Maduro by US military, a meeting of the National Defence Council was convened under the leadership of Delcy Rodriguez. Ministers and senior officials attended the meeting, which strongly condemned the move against Maduro. The council demanded the immediate release of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. Delcy Rodriguez stated that the US action was a violation of international law and Venezuela’s sovereignty, and called on the Venezuelan people to reject it. She also urged Latin American countries to take a firm stand on the issue.

Maduro and his wife were taken into custody after the United States invaded the Latin American country following months of pursuit on accusations related to drug trafficking. In the early hours of Saturday, around 2 a.m. local time, the US military’s counterterrorism unit, Delta Force, reportedly detained Maduro and Cilia Flores.

US President Donald Trump himself announced the detention of Maduro and his wife via Truth Social, later stating that Venezuela would now be governed by the United States. Maduro and Cilia were flown to New York, arriving at a helipad in Manhattan. They were subsequently taken to Stewart National Guard Base for medical examinations and later transferred to a detention centre in Brooklyn.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is expected to interrogate Maduro.