Venezuela’s Supreme Court has named Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as the country’s interim President, a dramatic move that follows the United States’ seizure of President Nicolás Maduro and his removal from the country late Saturday.
In a ruling issued overnight, the top court directed Rodríguez to “assume and exercise, on an acting basis, all constitutional powers and responsibilities of the presidency,” citing the need to ensure continuity of government and protect national sovereignty.
The judges, however, refrained from declaring Maduro permanently absent – a decision that would have triggered fresh elections within 30 days under Venezuelan law.
A long-time figure in Chavista politics
Delcy Rodríguez, 56, is a lawyer by training and a seasoned political operator within Venezuela’s ruling establishment.
She earned her law degree from the Central University of Venezuela in 1993 and later taught at the same institution. Early in her career, she was active in professional legal circles, serving as president of the union within the Venezuelan Association of Labour Lawyers.
Her entry into government came in 2003, when she joined the General Coordination of the Vice Presidency. During the presidency of Hugo Chávez, Rodríguez rose steadily through the ranks, serving as Minister for Presidential Affairs from February to August 2006.
Key ministerial roles
Rodríguez remained influential after Chávez’s death. In 2013, President Nicolás Maduro
appointed her Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information, a post she held until October 2014, overseeing state media and government messaging at a time of mounting political tension.
Later that year, she was named Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Relations – becoming Venezuela’s first female foreign minister. As chancellor, Rodríguez was a prominent defender of the Maduro government on the international stage, frequently clashing with Western governments and regional critics.
In June 2016, Maduro awarded her the Military Order of National Defense, Commander Degree, First Class, in recognition of her service during the 195th anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo.
From vice president to interim leader
Rodríguez stepped down as foreign minister in 2017 to run for a seat in the National Constituent Assembly, a controversial body created amid widespread protests. The following year, on 14 June, 2018, Maduro appointed her Vice President, replacing Tareck El Aissami.
Her responsibilities expanded further in September 2020, when she was given the additional role of Minister of Popular Power for Economy and Finance, placing her at the center of efforts to manage Venezuela’s prolonged economic crisis.
Rodríguez’s political career has also been marked by international isolation. She has been sanctioned by several countries and, at various times, barred from entering neighbouring Colombia due to her association with the Maduro administration.
Now, as interim President, Rodríguez faces one of the most volatile moments in Venezuela’s modern history – tasked with maintaining state authority at home while navigating intense diplomatic pressure abroad, all under the shadow of an unresolved question over Nicolás Maduro’s future and the prospect of new elections.
