By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following the extraction of Nicolas Maduro by U.S. forces, Venezuela’s military recognized Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as the acting leader, appointed by the Supreme Court for 90 days. Rodriguez, who had served as Maduro’s vice president, condemned the U.S. actions as a kidnapping but left the door open for dialogue, while the Trump administration issued a warning regarding her cooperation. Maduro, along with his wife, arrived in New York to face federal charges, while the Venezuelan Defense Minister reported casualties from the U.S. operation and urged citizens to resume normal activities.
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Venezuela’s military recognizes Vice President Delcy Rodriguez as acting leader after Maduro’s capture. This is a dramatic turn of events, and it’s certainly got everyone talking. The first thing that jumps out is the speed with which the military seemingly shifted its allegiance. It’s almost like a pre-arranged plan was put into motion, suggesting a level of coordination that’s, well, unsettling. The fact that the military, the ultimate power broker, immediately backed Rodriguez says volumes. It speaks to either a deep-seated plan or an unwillingness to get into a drawn-out struggle, choosing instead to follow the established line of succession.
This whole situation is further complicated by the fact that Delcy Rodriguez was already under U.S. sanctions in 2018. That naturally raises questions, particularly when you factor in the former President’s known tendencies. If the United States previously sanctioned her for corruption and humanitarian concerns, then why would the same administration seemingly want her in charge now? Well, the obvious answer appears to be that the US seeks access to oil and is willing to compromise on other issues. This is a recurring theme when we look at how the US operates. The question then becomes whether Rodriguez, with her past and her current circumstances, will actually play ball and allow the US to access and control the oil.
This is where the story gets really interesting. One of the central arguments here is that the US, and specifically some factions in the United States, don’t actually care about the Venezuelan people. Their motives, as you might have gathered from some of the analysis, are far more self-serving. It’s about resources, geopolitical positioning, and nothing much else. Think about it: if the goal was really to install democracy and improve the lives of Venezuelans, wouldn’t the US have supported free and fair elections, not just backed a replacement who may be as corrupt as the last guy? The former president’s actions, the timing of events, and the historical precedents all suggest something more sinister.
The timing of everything is also suspect. Maduro seems to have gone relatively quietly. Did he know this was coming? Was it pre-negotiated? These are the sorts of questions that tend to swirl around situations like this. It certainly appears that Maduro’s capture was not a spontaneous event, but a carefully orchestrated maneuver. The US might have thought that removing Maduro would resolve the situation, but the military recognizing Rodriguez as acting leader proves that it’s not as easy as simply grabbing one individual. What happens next? That’s the million-dollar question. If Rodriguez cooperates with the US and allows access to oil, she could solidify her power. If she doesn’t, she could face the same fate as Maduro, which is an unlikely scenario.
We also see some of the arguments about the US’s broader goals. The assumption is that Trump, for example, wants a leader who will basically hand over the keys to the country’s oil reserves. The focus isn’t on the well-being of the Venezuelan people; it’s about making sure that U.S. interests are protected, even if it means backing a leader who isn’t exactly a champion of human rights or democracy. This kind of pragmatic, albeit cynical, approach to international relations is all too familiar. There’s a distinct feeling that this whole situation is less about Venezuelan self-determination and more about power plays.
And the presence of Russia in the mix is another crucial factor. Rodriguez is reportedly in Russia, which adds another layer of complexity. This potentially points to another major power playing a role and adds more fuel to the narrative of the US and Russia jockeying for influence and control. This could lead to a situation where Venezuela becomes another proxy battleground, with the citizens of Venezuela caught in the middle.
There’s a sense that the removal of Maduro was just the first move in a much bigger game. The potential for prolonged instability and a humanitarian crisis is very real. If the goal was regime change, this doesn’t seem to fit the bill. In a well-ordered succession, the opposition is not in charge. If the military is indeed making the calls, the opposition doesn’t have a seat at the table. If they did, then new elections would be on the agenda, and with the military support, the results would be respected.
The bottom line is that this whole situation is complex, multi-layered, and far from resolved. The military’s recognition of Rodriguez is a key moment. But whether this is a victory for anyone is up for debate. In the end, the question remains: whose interests are really being served here?