{"id":33513,"date":"2026-01-07T07:06:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T05:06:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=33513"},"modified":"2026-01-07T07:07:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T05:07:29","slug":"delcy-rodriguez-sworn-in-as-venezuelas-interim-president-as-maduro-appears-in-us-federal-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/delcy-rodriguez-sworn-in-as-venezuelas-interim-president-as-maduro-appears-in-us-federal-court\/","title":{"rendered":"Delcy Rodriguez sworn in as Venezuela\u2019s interim president as Maduro appears in US federal court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

8 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delcy Rodriguez was formally sworn in as Venezuela\u2019s interim president on January 6, 2026, assuming leadership of the South American country as Nicolas Maduro appeared in the U.S. federal court following a military operation that reshaped the country\u2019s political landscape.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rodriguez, formerly Venezuela\u2019s vice president, appeared before the National Assembly in Caracas to take the oath of office in a ceremony dominated by government loyalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her swearing-in comes as Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, remain in U.S. custody after being seized during a pre-dawn operation that included reported explosions in the capital and at nearby military installations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to lawmakers, Rodriguez framed her ascent to the presidency as a moment marked by grief and defiance, condemning the operation that removed Maduro from power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI come with pain over the kidnapping of two heroes who are being held hostage: President Nicol\u00e1s Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,\u201d Rodriguez, 56, told the assembly. \u201cI swear to work tirelessly to guarantee the peace, spiritual, economic, and social tranquility of our people.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The swearing-in ceremony underscored the continuity of Venezuela\u2019s ruling elite despite the unprecedented removal of its longtime leader. Rodriguez\u2019s brother, Jorge Rodriguez, who serves as president of the National Assembly, presided over the proceedings. Maduro\u2019s son, Nicolas Maduro Guerra, stood beside him holding a copy of the Venezuelan Constitution.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Nicolas<\/a>
Nicolas Maduro Guerra, son of ousted president Nicolas Maduro, and Yosser Gavidia Flores, Cila Flores’ son, attend the swearing-in ceremony of Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as Venezuela\u2019s interim president at the National Assembly, in Caracas, Venezuela, on January 5, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Other senior figures from Maduro\u2019s inner circle were present, including Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, both of whom have played key roles in maintaining the loyalty of the security forces and military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rodriguez, a former labor lawyer, has served as acting president since the early hours of Saturday, when explosions were reported across Caracas and surrounding areas during the operation that led to Maduro\u2019s capture. The government has characterized the incident as a foreign military attack and a violation of Venezuela\u2019s sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Maduro Faces Charges in New York<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Rodriguez took her oath in Caracas, Maduro appeared before a federal court in New York City for an arraignment on multiple criminal charges brought by U.S. prosecutors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maduro has been charged with four counts related to allegations that he used the powers of the Venezuelan state to facilitate the export of thousands of tons of cocaine to North America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The charges include narco-terrorism conspiracy, conspiracy to import cocaine, illegal possession of machine guns and other destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons. Maduro and his wife have both pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In court, Maduro insisted that his removal from Venezuela did not strip him of legitimacy. \u201cI am still president,\u201d he told the judge, reiterating his long-standing claim to office.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Venezuela's<\/a>
Venezuela’s ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrive at the Wall Street Heliport in the New York City borough of Manhattan, to be transported to appear in a New York court. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Adam Gray)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Rodriguez and other Venezuelan officials have denounced the abduction as a breach of international law, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for the use of military force to remove a sitting head of state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Machado Vows to Return to Venezuela<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venezuela\u2019s main opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado, said she will return to the country \u201cas soon as possible,\u201d calling the U.S. operation that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro a historic turning point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In her first interview since the raid, Machado said the opposition is ready to complete a democratic transition and win a free election, arguing that the 2024 presidential vote was won by the opposition by a landslide despite what she described as fraudulent conditions. \u201cIn free and fair elections, we will win over 90% of the votes,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Machado, who fled Venezuela in disguise last year after being barred from running for president and is currently wanted for arrest, praised President Donald Trump for his actions against Maduro\u2019s government and said she intends to return despite the risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She criticized interim President Delcy Rodriguez as a pillar of the old system and said the immediate release of political prisoners must be the first step toward restoring democracy and enabling exiles to return home.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"A<\/a>
A person holds up an image depicting Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, as people celebrate after the U.S. struck Venezuela and captured its President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in Santiago, Chile, on January 3, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Pablo Sanhueza)<\/sup><\/em>

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


Trump Signals Conditional Support for Rodriguez<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the dramatic nature of Maduro\u2019s removal, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that it is prepared to work with Rodriguez, at least temporarily. Trump, however, made clear that her continued hold on power depends on her willingness to align with U.S. priorities for Venezuela.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf she doesn\u2019t do what\u2019s right, she is going to pay a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro,\u201d Trump said in a Sunday interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a televised address announcing the military operation, Trump said his administration plans \u201cto run the country until we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He later reinforced that message while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he returned to Washington. \u201cDon\u2019t ask me who\u2019s in charge, because I\u2019ll give you an answer that will be very controversial. We\u2019re in charge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump added that Rodriguez is \u201ccooperating\u201d with U.S. officials, even though he has not spoken to her directly. \u201cWe\u2019re dealing with the people who just got sworn in,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Pragmatic Calculation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The apparent willingness of the Trump administration to tolerate Rodriguez\u2019s leadership has raised questions, given her long-standing association with the ruling \u201cchavista\u201d movement founded by Hugo Chavez and carried on by Maduro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rodriguez has served as vice president since 2018 and previously held several senior cabinet posts, including foreign minister. She is widely seen as a loyal enforcer of Maduro\u2019s policies and a vocal critic of U.S. sanctions and pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"U.S.<\/a>
U.S. President Donald Trump holds a press conference as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, look on following a U.S. strike on Venezuela where President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured, from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., on January 3, 2026. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Jonathan Ernst)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, some of Trump\u2019s allies have argued that engaging with Rodriguez reflects political reality rather than endorsement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t recognize Delcy Rodriguez as the legitimate ruler of Venezuela. We didn\u2019t recognize Nicolas Maduro as a legitimate ruler,\u201d Senator Tom Cotton said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is a fact that she and other indicted and sanctioned officials are in Venezuela. They have control over the military and security services. We have to deal with that fact. That does not make them a legitimate leader.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Elections Deferred, Oil Prioritized<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trump has largely avoided committing to an immediate election timetable in Venezuela, instead emphasizing economic stabilization and control over the country\u2019s vast oil resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked how soon an election could take place, Trump said the focus would be on restoring basic functionality. \u201cWell, I think we\u2019re looking more at getting it fixed, getting it ready first, because it\u2019s a mess. The country is a mess,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s been horribly run. The oil is just flowing at a very low level.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He later added, \u201cWe\u2019re going to run everything. We\u2019re going to run it, fix it. We\u2019ll have elections at the right time. But the main thing you have to fix: It\u2019s a broken country. There\u2019s no money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The comments suggest that Washington is prioritizing economic restructuring and energy access over rapid political transition, a stance that could prolong Rodriguez\u2019s tenure despite questions about her legitimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Demonstrators<\/a>
Demonstrators hold placards during a protest against U.S. strikes against Venezuela and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, outside the Daniel Patrick Moynihan United States Courthouse in New York City, on January 5. (Image Credit: Reuters\/Jeenah Moon)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Venezuela\u2019s recent electoral history has been marked by controversy and allegations of fraud. Maduro claimed victory in multiple presidential elections that were widely denounced by domestic and international observers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disputed 2018 election led the United States to briefly recognize opposition leader Juan Guaido as Venezuela\u2019s president. More recently, Maduro declared victory in the 2024 presidential race, despite widespread irregularities. The official vote tally was never released, and opposition groups published documents suggesting that rival candidate Edmundo Gonzalez had won.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mass protests followed, and human rights groups reported that more than 2,000 protesters were unlawfully detained, with at least 25 people killed in what were described as apparent extrajudicial killings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opposition parties have since largely boycotted legislative elections, arguing that the system is rigged in favor of chavista candidates. Monday\u2019s swearing-in ceremony included the 283 members of the National Assembly elected last May, with only a small number of opposition lawmakers present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As Delcy Rodriguez assumes the presidency amid international tension, legal battles abroad, and domestic unrest, Venezuela enters a new and uncertain phase, one shaped as much by foreign power as by internal political continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"IRIA<\/a>
(Image Credit: IRIA AI Team)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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