Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez Navigates Public Defiance and Private Diplomacy with U.S.
Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has emerged as a pivotal figure in the precarious diplomatic relationship between Caracas and Washington, employing a dual-track strategy that combines aggressive public rhetoric with pragmatic private negotiations. As the Biden administration evaluates the future of sanctions relief, Rodríguez’s recent maneuvers are testing the durability of the fragile truce currently in place between the two nations.
The backdrop to this diplomatic tension is the easing of economic pressure following the Barbados Agreement, in which the administration of Nicolás Maduro pledged to work toward freer elections in exchange for the lifting of specific U.S. sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sectors. This temporary reprieve was designed to incentivize democratic reforms and facilitate a competitive presidential contest.
However, significant objections regarding the success of this policy have surfaced. U.S. officials and international observers have raised alarms over the continued political disqualification of key opposition figures, viewing these actions as a breach of the agreed-upon conditions. While Rodríguez continues to publicly denounce American “imperialism” and interference in Venezuelan sovereignty, behind the scenes, the administration remains deeply engaged in efforts to maintain access to global markets and preserve the flow of oil revenue.
The situation remains volatile, with the U.S. government warning that the “snapback” of sanctions remains a viable option if political commitments are not honored. This standoff places Rodríguez at the center of a high-stakes geopolitical test, balancing the government’s need for economic lifelines against its refusal to cede political control.
