It's always Israel
"Zionist Tint:" Acting Venezuelan President Blames Israel for Maduro Arrest
Speaking in a televised address flanked by senior figures from the ruling elite, Rodríguez claimed the operation that transferred Maduro into U.S. custody was the work of “the Zionists." She offered no evidence to support the allegation.
Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez on Sunday accused Israel of being behind the U.S. military operation that led to the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, branding the strike on Caracas “Zionist” and insisting that Maduro remains the country’s only legitimate president.
Speaking in a televised address alongside senior figures from the ruling elite, Rodríguez claimed the operation that transferred Maduro into U.S. custody was the work of “the Zionists,” repeating language long used by Venezuela’s Chavista leadership to frame foreign pressure as a conspiracy involving Israel and its allies. She offered no evidence to support the allegation.
“The attack on Venezuela is Zionist,” Rodríguez said, adding that Maduro “is the only president of Venezuela,” despite a ruling by the country’s constitutional court assigning her interim authority during his absence.
Her remarks came hours after U.S. officials confirmed that Maduro had been seized in Caracas and flown to New York to face federal charges. U.S. President Donald Trump described the operation as decisive and publicly declared Maduro’s rule to be over.
Rodríguez appeared alongside National Assembly head Jorge Rodríguez, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, a display widely interpreted as an attempt to project unity and continuity within the regime amid uncertainty over who truly holds power.
Israeli officials did not immediately respond to the accusations, and there has been no indication that Israel had any role in planning or executing the U.S. operation. In fact, Israeli officials had quietly hoped that Maduro’s removal could open the door to renewed ties with Caracas after years of hostility, including the severing of diplomatic relations under the Chavista government. Rodríguez’s rhetoric, however, suggests that any such reset is now unlikely, at least in the short term.
Analysts noted that blaming Israel and invoking “Zionism” follows a familiar pattern for Venezuela’s leadership during moments of crisis, serving to deflect responsibility and rally nationalist sentiment. Similar accusations have surfaced repeatedly in past confrontations with Washington and its allies.
The comments have unsettled members of Venezuela’s small Jewish community, who fear the language could inflame tensions at a volatile moment. As power dynamics in Caracas remain unresolved, Rodríguez’s remarks underline how quickly the political struggle has shifted from questions of succession to conspiracy and scapegoating.