"There is only one president in Venezuela, and his name is Nicolas Maduro," Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated in a televised address to the Venezuelan people on 3/1.
Under Venezuelan law, Rodriguez would succeed President Maduro following his arrest in a US raid on Venezuela earlier that day. However, she did not declare herself interim president or mention a political transition. Venezuelan state television did not broadcast any inauguration ceremony, and on-screen text also confirmed Rodriguez remained Vice President.
Rodriguez showed no signs of cooperating with the US, instead criticizing the attack on Venezuela as "barbaric" and demanding Washington release Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
"We warned that an attack was underway with false reasons and rhetoric. The truth has been exposed that the sole goal is regime change in Venezuela. This would allow them to seize our energy, minerals, and natural resources. This is the true objective, and the world must know it," she said.
The Venezuelan Vice President added that she is ready for dialogue and to "maintain a respectful relationship" with the Trump administration. "That is the only thing we can accept for a type of relationship after they attacked Venezuela," she declared.
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Vice President Rodriguez speaking on television on 3/1. Photo: X/Con el Mazo Dando |
In an earlier press conference, US President Donald Trump stated that Rodriguez had been sworn in as Venezuela's President and would soon cooperate with the US. "She is essentially ready to do what we believe is necessary to make Venezuela great again," he said.
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Image of President Maduro posted by President Trump on social media on 3/1. Photo: TruthSocial/realDonaldTrump |
The US military launched an operation named "Absolute Resolve" at dawn on 3/1, at the request of the Department of Justice. Approximately 150 aircraft deployed from 20 bases conducted airstrikes on multiple targets in Venezuela, facilitating helicopter squadrons to enter the capital Caracas, carrying US special forces and law enforcement personnel to execute the arrest warrant for Maduro.
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine stated that US special forces reached Maduro's location around 1h on 3/1, facing resistance from his security detail before subduing Maduro and his wife, then withdrawing from Venezuela around 3h29.
Venezuela's constitution mandates that the country must hold elections within one month if the president is absent. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado argued that candidate Edmundo Gonzalez should govern the country, having legitimately won the 2024 presidential election.
Thanh Tam (According to Hill, CBC, AP)
