Venezuela’s US-backed former opposition leader, Juan Guaido, has criticized acting president Delcy Rodríguez, terming her a dictator and a key figure in the country’s drug trafficking operations.
In an exclusive Al Jazeera video interview shared on January 7, Juan Guaido added that the Venezuelan oil market does not have confidence in her.
“The U.S. president is clear. Delcy is an acting dictator, and she’s the head of the Cartel of the Soles,” he said.
Juan Guaidó reiterated President Donald Trump’s warning that the acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, risks facing the same fate as Nicolás Maduro if she does not cooperate with the United States.
He argued that there can be no meaningful progress until legal certainty is restored in the country and democracy and basic rights are fully recovered.
The former opposition leader described the current moment as a transitional phase for the opposition that will only be complete once the rule of law is reinstated, paving the way for elections.
Guaidó stressed that opening Venezuela’s oil market fairly and allowing foreign investment is important not just for Venezuela but for the world.
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He said the institutionalization of the country, the recovery of the economy, transitional justice, and rebuilding infrastructure, including schools, roads, and oil fields, remain major priorities.
Juan noted that approximately $20 billion in investment is needed to restore oil production to its previous levels, and historically, the United States has been Venezuela’s biggest market.
According to Guaidó, corruption flourished under the previous dictatorship, and now a transparent transition is necessary for the welfare of Venezuelans and the broader region.
Also Read: Venezuela’s Supreme Court Appoints Delcy Rodríguez to Replace Maduro
Venezuela Swears Delcy Rodríguez As Interim President
On January 5, Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as Venezuela’s interim president during a parliamentary session that began with lawmakers demanding the release of ousted leader Nicolás Maduro.
Currently, Maduro is being held in U.S. custody following an overnight raid by American forces.
Before her appointment, Delcy Rodríguez held several low-profile positions during the Chávez administration. She would rise to prominence after her appointment as the Minister of Communication and Information in 2013.
She later served as Foreign Minister from 2014 to 2017 and led the pro-Maduro Constituent Assembly.
Her support for Maduro earned her both influence and stature, and it led to her being chosen as vice president in June 2018, placing her second in the country’s line of succession.
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