Venezuela’s Interim President Calls for Diplomatic Dialogue With US After Military Operation
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, appealed on Wednesday for diplomatic dialogue with the United States following a US military operation in early January that resulted in the capture and removal of former President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. Rodríguez made the remarks from the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas, emphasizing the importance of resolving disagreements through political channels and respect for international law and Venezuela’s constitution.
Rodríguez noted that she recently spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, stressing the historic relationship between the two nations. She said that extremist groups had attempted to exploit the situation to sow chaos, but that Venezuelans had responded with maturity and restraint. According to her, calm and security have since been restored following the US airstrikes and related events.
Addressing the January 3 military action, Rodríguez described the operation as a stain on bilateral relations and reiterated that the Venezuelan people seek to safeguard their sovereignty, national independence, and peace. She underscored that any disagreements with the United States must be addressed through diplomacy rather than conflict. The US brought Maduro and his wife to New York City, where they pleaded not guilty to drug and weapons charges, and Trump has indicated that his administration will “run” Venezuela and its oil assets during a transitional period.
