Venezuela Enters a “New Era” After Maduro Ouster, Says Interim President Delcy Rodriguez
Venezuela is looking toward a “new era” of politics and reconciliation, according to interim President Delcy Rodriguez, following the dramatic ouster of former leader Nicolas Maduro by US forces on January 3.
At her first press conference since Maduro’s capture, Rodriguez presented herself as a unifying figure, signaling hope for a more tolerant and inclusive political environment.
“After 12 years of repressive rule, Venezuela is opening up to a new political era,” Rodriguez told reporters at the presidential palace. “This new era allows for understanding despite differences and through ideological and political diversity.”
Following Maduro’s removal, US President Donald Trump officially recognized Rodriguez as the acting leader, provided she aligns with Washington’s policies. This move sidelined anti-Maduro opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado, who is now scheduled to meet Trump at the White House to advocate for a democratic transition that includes her and opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia.
Prisoner Releases Signal Reconciliation
One of Rodriguez’s first acts as interim president was to accelerate the release of political prisoners, a gesture aimed at building trust across Venezuela’s divided political landscape. Authorities reported freeing 406 prisoners since December, though NGOs such as Foro Penal provided a more conservative count of around 180.
Notable among those released are journalists and opposition activists, including Roland Carreno, who spent over a year behind bars for participating in post-election protests, and Nicmer Evans, director of the Punto de Corte news outlet. Carreno, in a video shared after his release, called for “peace and reconciliation,” reflecting the broader sentiment Rodriguez hopes to cultivate.
Navigating a Delicate Balance
Rodriguez is walking a tightrope, trying to satisfy US expectations while maintaining the support of Maduro loyalists who still control security forces and intelligence agencies. Prisoners have been freed quietly at unconventional locations, like shopping malls, to avoid politically charged scenes.
Additionally, Venezuelans regained access to the social media platform X, which had been blocked for more than a year. Rodriguez updated her profile to reflect her new role, emphasizing unity, economic stability, and social justice, signaling a symbolic shift toward openness.