Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s former vice president, has been sworn in as acting president following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro in a United States military operation.
Rodríguez took the oath of office on Monday before the National Assembly, which is dominated by pro-government lawmakers. In her address, she strongly condemned the US-led operation that led to the arrest of Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.
“I assume this responsibility with profound pain over the kidnapping of two national leaders: President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores,” Rodríguez, 56, said. “I will work tirelessly to preserve peace and safeguard the spiritual, social, and economic well-being of our people.”
A former labour lawyer, Rodríguez had been acting as head of government since the early hours of Saturday, when explosions were reported across Caracas, including near military facilities and civilian areas, signalling the start of the US operation.
Monday’s swearing-in ceremony was overseen by her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, the president of the National Assembly, while Maduro’s son, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, held the Venezuelan Constitution. Senior officials in attendance included Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino.
The inauguration coincided with Maduro’s arraignment in a federal court in New York, where he faces four criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit narco-terrorism, cocaine trafficking, and the illegal possession and conspiracy to possess firearms and other destructive devices.
Maduro and Flores have both pleaded not guilty. Rodríguez and other government allies have described the US action as a violation of international law and an attack on Venezuela’s sovereignty.
Speaking in court on Monday, Maduro insisted he remains the country’s lawful leader, declaring, “I am still president.”
