CARACAS – Venezuela’s Vice President and Oil Minister Delcy Rodríguez officially been sworn in as the country’s interim president, the officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The oath-taking comes as President Nicolás Maduro faces drug-related charges in a New York court. Maduro was abducted from his official residence and transferred to the United States following a dramatic military operation conducted by the Trump administration over the weekend.
Rodríguez, 56, took her oath from her brother Jorge Rodríguez, the head of Venezuela’s National Assembly. Known for her strong affiliation with the ruling party and close ties to the private sector, she now assumes leadership during a politically turbulent period.
On the same day, all 283 members of the National Assembly, elected last May, also took their oaths. However, opposition representation was limited as many members including supporters of Nobel laureate leader María Corina Machado boycotted the session. The only absent member was First Lady Cilia Flores, who remains in US custody.
Meanwhile, Nicolás Maduro’s son and parliamentarian, Nicolás Maduro Guerra, expressed his unconditional support for interim President Rodríguez. Speaking at the opening session of parliament, he said he would fully cooperate with her in carrying out her duties.
In an emotional address, Maduro Guerra added that Venezuela is in safe hands and expressed hope of reuniting with his father in the country soon.
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