On 5/1, the Venezuelan National Assembly held a swearing-in ceremony for interim President Delcy Rodriguez. During the session, Jorge Rodriguez, Delcy's brother, was re-elected as head of the legislative body.

Television footage from the event showed Jorge repeatedly making a V-sign with two fingers, notably when nominated by lawmaker Nicolas Maduro Guerra, President Nicolas Maduro's son. Jorge also pointed to the V symbol with his left hand at the end of his speech to the National Assembly. Many lawmakers present also made the same gesture.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez makes a gesture similar to President Nicolas Maduro. Video: teleSUR

President Maduro himself made this gesture when US law enforcement escorted him in New York. This occurred after a US special operation raided Caracas to arrest him. The gesture quickly spread across social media.

Experts on Chavismo, the left-wing political movement based on Hugo Chavez's ideology, explain that such a hand gesture and V-sign imply "Nosotros venceremos" (Together, we will win). Left-wing revolutionary movements in Latin America have long used this slogan to express belief in victory against oppression.

Supporters described Maduro's gesture as a "powerful symbol of dignity and courage", and a "sign of peace and victory". A Venezuelan reporter commented, "It is a sign of hope, showing that even in the most complex circumstances, the Venezuelan president still sends a message to the people: be strong, calm, alert, and maintain an iron will".

Conversely, the opposition dismissed the gestures as merely "symbolic".

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro makes a V-sign while being escorted to New York on 3/1. Photo: New York Post

President Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were arrested in a US raid in Caracas on the morning of 3/1, then taken to New York. The US operation drew strong criticism from the United Nations and many countries worldwide. On 5/1, Maduro and Flores appeared in federal court in New York to hear charges and both denied the accusations made by US prosecutors.

The hearing concluded after about 30 minutes, and Maduro and his wife were escorted out to return to detention at Brooklyn jail. The presiding judge announced the next hearing would take place on 17/3.

Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, AFP, teleSUR)