Delcy Rodríguez sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president

Venezuela has entered a new political phase after former vice president Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president, a move officials described as a constitutional step aimed at preserving institutional stability during an exceptional period for the country.

Rodríguez took the oath of office at a formal ceremony overseen by her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who serves as president of Venezuela’s National Assembly. The swearing-in was presented by lawmakers as a necessary measure to ensure continuity of governance while President Nicolás Maduro faces legal proceedings abroad.

In her first remarks as interim leader, Rodríguez struck an emotional tone, acknowledging the gravity of the moment and the strain it has placed on the nation. She described President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, as “two heroes,” praising their resilience and what she called their sacrifices in the face of sustained external pressure.

Rodríguez said she accepted the oath “with pain,” pointing to the hardship endured by Venezuelans as a result of what she characterised as “illegitimate military aggression” and foreign interference. She emphasised that her interim role was rooted in loyalty to the existing political project and a commitment to safeguarding national sovereignty.