Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez insisted Thursday that she is running the country amid claims that the US is in control of Caracas.
“I can tell you I am in charge of the presidency of Venezuela, as it’s stated clearly in the constitution of Venezuela,” Rodriguez told NBC News.
“And from the amount of work that I have, from how busy I am, I can tell you it’s very, very hard work and we’re doing it completely day by day,” she added.
Rodriguez also said that President Nicolas Maduro, who was abducted by US forces in early January, is still the legitimate leader of Venezuela.
“I can tell you President Nicolas Maduro is the legitimate president. I will tell you this as a lawyer, that I am. Both President Maduro and Cilia Flores, the first lady, are both innocent,” she stressed.
🚨🇻🇪 Maduro is innocent, suffered from fake news like Trump — acting president
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) February 13, 2026
Nicolas Maduro remains legitimate president of Venezuela, and US prosecution of him does not complicate the bilateral dialogue, Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodriguez. pic.twitter.com/zeJZ8nZeKm
“I have been invited to the (United) States. We’re contemplating coming there once we establish this cooperation and we can move forward with everything.”
On the possibility of opposition leader Maria Corina Machado returning to Venezuela, Rodriguez said: “With regards to her life, we do not understand why there’s such a fuss about it.”
“With regards to her coming back to the country, she will have to answer to Venezuela. Why she called upon a military intervention, why she called upon sanctions to Venezuela, and why she celebrated the actions that took place at the beginning of January,” she added.
Venezuela’s Delcy Rodríguez dismissed concerns over Machado, saying, “we do not understand why there is such a fuss,” and warned that if she returns she must explain “why she called upon a military intervention, why she called upon sanctions to Venezuela, and why she- pic.twitter.com/JlAmCcigyj
— faiyaz brohi (@FaiyazB) February 13, 2026
Despite gifting her Nobel Peace Prize medal to Trump, Machado has yet to secure his full political backing.
Source: Agencies