US President Donald Trump has said that Venezuela’s vice president Delcy Rodríguez is prepared to cooperate with the United States, a statement that has surprised many observers of Venezuelan politics. The comments came during a news conference addressing Washington’s next steps following recent US military action involving Venezuela.
Transitional Leadership Plan for Venezuela
During the briefing, Trump said the US envisions a temporary group taking charge of Venezuela’s governance until what he described as a “safe, proper and judicious transition” can be achieved. When reporters asked who inside Venezuela could be involved in such a group, Trump pointed to ongoing discussions led by his secretary of state, Marco Rubio.
According to Trump, Rubio has been in contact with Rodríguez as part of efforts to shape a possible political transition in the country.
Rodríguez Speaks Out After US Strikes
Rodríguez, who has served as vice president under President Nicolás Maduro, was the first senior Venezuelan official to make a public statement following the US strikes. In an audio message, she called on Washington to provide proof of life for Maduro and his wife.
The fact that the message was delivered only in audio form fueled speculation about Rodríguez’s whereabouts, with reports suggesting she may have left Venezuela. However, Russian officials later rejected claims that she was in Russia, dismissing them as false.
A Surprising Shift in Tone
Trump said Rodríguez had indicated she was willing to do “whatever the US asks,” a remark that caught many Venezuela analysts off guard. Rodríguez and her brother Jorge Rodríguez, who leads the National Assembly, have long been among the strongest defenders of the Maduro government.
While some observers believe Rodríguez may be cooperating with Washington to protect her own position—especially after Trump suggested he would consider a second wave of strikes—others argue she is unlikely to be viewed as a figure capable of delivering meaningful political change.
