"Venezuela is Not a Colony": Delcy Rodriguez Takes Power as Maduro Faces

The high stakes military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro has left a trail of destruction and a radical new political landscape in its wake. According to new reports, the American commando strike in Caracas resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people, including members of Maduro's elite security detail and several civilians. While no American soldiers were killed, several were wounded in the fierce exchange. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino later confirmed the deaths of the presidential guard, describing the operation as a "cold blooded assassination." Despite the violent removal of the head of state, the socialist infrastructure built over decades remains largely intact, led by a woman the United States believes it can finally do business with.

The road to this military intervention was paved with failed diplomacy. In late December, President Donald Trump reportedly issued a final ultimatum to Maduro, offering him a peaceful path to exile in Turkey under the protection of President Erdogan. Maduro not only rejected the offer but chose to mock the American administration, appearing on state television dancing and laughing at the threats coming from Washington. This public mockery convinced the White House that Maduro viewed their warnings as a bluff, leading to the green light for the extraction mission that saw Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, taken into U.S. custody to face drug trafficking charges.

In a move that surprised many international observers, President Trump has distanced himself from the traditional opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado. While calling her a "nice woman," Trump stated she lacked the popular support to lead the country. Instead, the administration has signaled a willingness to work with Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro’s Vice President and the current Oil Minister. American officials were reportedly impressed by her technical management of the oil industry despite years of crushing sanctions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already held talks with Rodriguez, who has signaled she will do what is necessary to serve American energy interests in exchange for regional stability.

However, the path forward remains dangerous. While Rodriguez has been named the interim president, she is surrounded by the violent remnants of Maduro’s inner circle, most notably Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Analysts describe Cabello as the most violent and unpredictable element of the regime, a man who commands the "collectivos," the notorious motorcycle militias that terrorize the streets. With over 2,000 generals controlling various sectors of the economy and illegal smuggling routes, Rodriguez must navigate a delicate balance between American demands and the entrenched interests of the Venezuelan military. The U.S. has made it clear that while they are willing to work with regime insiders who "make the right decisions," the current oil blockade will remain in place as a lever of pressure until the new leadership proves it can follow the rules.