Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez takes office as interim President

Venezuelan Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez was formally sworn in today as the country’s interim President, as ousted President Nicolás Maduro faced narco-trafficking charges in a New York federal court.

Her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who serves as the President of the National Assembly, administered the oath to the 56-year-old labour lawyer. Delcy Rodríguez is known for her close ties to the private sector and her dedication to the ruling party.

Also sworn in today were the 283 lawmakers elected last May, most of whom are aligned with the government. The opposition, particularly the faction led by Maria Corina Machado, who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize, boycotted the process.

The only lawmaker absent from the National Assembly’s first session was First Lady Cilia Flores, who US forces arrested alongside Maduro and who remains detained in New York.

Rodríguez said she felt “pain due to the kidnapping of the two heroes held hostage in the US” but was also “honoured to be sworn in (as president) on behalf of all Venezuelans.”

Maduro, taken to court for his arraignment, declared he was the President of Venezuela and a “prisoner of war.”

“I am the President of the Republic of Venezuela and I am here, kidnapped since Saturday, January 3. They arrested me at my home in Caracas, Venezuela…” he managed to say before Judge Alvin Hellerstein interrupted him.

“There will be a time and place to say these things,” the judge said, asking Maduro only to confirm his identity.