Venezuela’s acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has publicly rebuked the United States, declaring she has had “enough” of Washington’s directives as she seeks to steady the country following the US capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro.
Speaking on Sunday to oil workers in Puerto La Cruz at an event broadcast on state television, Rodríguez said Venezuela must be allowed to resolve its internal political issues without external interference.
“Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela,” she said. “Let Venezuelan politics resolve our differences and our internal conflicts. This Republic has paid a very high price confronting fascism and extremism.”
Rodríguez, who was backed by the United States as interim leader after Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were seized in early January and taken to the US to face charges, has been navigating a delicate political balance. While attempting to retain the loyalty of Maduro supporters at home, she has also worked to maintain cooperation with Washington.
Nearly a month into her leadership, her comments signal a firmer stance amid continued US pressure, including demands that Venezuela resume oil production under new conditions.
Despite her criticism, Rodríguez stopped short of outright confrontation. Speaking at a separate public event on Monday, she said Venezuela does not fear the United States but insisted relations must be grounded in mutual respect.
“We are not afraid,” she said. “Nor are we afraid of maintaining respectful relations with the United States, but they must be based on respect — respect for international law, basic human dignity and the history of Venezuela.”
US President Donald Trump initially claimed the United States would “run” Venezuela following Maduro’s capture but later endorsed Rodríguez as interim president. Earlier this month, Trump said he spoke with Rodríguez by phone, describing her as a “terrific person” and noting that relations with Venezuela were progressing well.
The White House has continued to exert influence since Maduro’s removal, outlining a series of conditions for cooperation. According to senior US officials, these include Venezuela cutting ties with China, Iran, Russia and Cuba, and partnering exclusively with the US on oil production.
Oil remains Venezuela’s economic backbone, with the country holding the world’s largest reserves of extra-heavy crude — a resource compatible with US refineries but costly to process.
Internally, Rodríguez faces deep political divisions, including splits among Maduro loyalists, factions of the left critical of past governance, and supporters of late President Hugo Chávez who accuse Maduro of betraying socialist ideals. Meanwhile, opposition leaders are monitoring developments closely. Trump has suggested that opposition figure María Corina Machado could play a role in Venezuela’s future leadership.
Another major point of US pressure has been the release of political detainees. On Sunday, rights group Foro Penal reported that at least 104 prisoners were freed, one of the largest single-day releases since the government pledged earlier this month to release a “significant number” of detainees as a goodwill gesture.
According to Foro Penal, at least 266 detainees have been released so far. Trump welcomed the move, calling it a “powerful humanitarian gesture” and saying releases would increase in the coming days.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said Monday that 808 people have been freed since December, adding that the releases were ordered to promote coexistence and peace. Both Cabello and Rodríguez said the government is open to a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to verify the releases, though a full list has yet to be made public.
As Rodríguez works to consolidate authority at home, her remarks underline the growing tension between asserting Venezuela’s sovereignty and managing a fragile relationship with the United States.
