Venezuela’s supreme court has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodriguez to assume the position of acting president following the detention of President Nicolas Maduro.
The court ruled that Rodriguez would assume the presidency to ensure administrative continuity and safeguard the nation’s overall defense.
“The office of President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, to guarantee administrative continuity and the comprehensive defense of the Nation,” the court said.
In addition, the court stated that it would further deliberate to determine the applicable legal framework to guarantee the continuity of the State, the administration of government, and the defense of sovereignty in the face of the forced absence of President Maduro.
Maduro was detained by the United States early Saturday morning.
Profile of Delcy Rodriguez, Acting President of Venezuela
Delcy Rodríguez was born on May 18, 1969, in Caracas.
She is a lawyer who graduated from the Central University of Venezuela in 1993 and served as a professor at the university.
Delcy has served as the president of the union within the Venezuelan Association of Labour Lawyers.
However, Delcy started her governmental career in 2003, joining the General Coordination of the Vice Presidency of Venezuela.
From February to August 2006, she was the Minister for Presidential Affairs during President Hugo Chavez’s term.
Also Read: Explosions Reported Near Caracas Amid Rising Tensions Between Trump and Venezuela
Later, from 2013 to October 2014, the then-President Nicolas Maduro appointed her as the Minister of Popular Power for Communication and Information of Venezuela.
In December 2014, she was appointed Minister of Popular Power for Foreign Relations, becoming the first woman to hold the position in Venezuela.
In June 2016, during the commemoration of the 195th anniversary of the Battle of Carabobo, President Nicolás Maduro awarded Ms. Rodríguez the Military Order of National Defense, Commander Degree, First Class.
Elsewhere, in June 2017, Ms. Rodriguez resigned as Chancellor to stand as a candidate in the National Constituent Assembly elections.
On June 14, 2018, Nicolas Maduro appointed Ms. Rodriguez as the Vice-President of Venezuela, succeeding Tareck El Aissam.
Meanwhile, on September 10, 2020, she was appointed as the Minister of Popular Power for Economy and Finance.
Maduro’s Capture and Detention
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States carried out a large-scale strike targeting Venezuela, resulting in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
In a Truth Social post on January 3, Trump said the operation was conducted in coordination with U.S. law enforcement agencies and that President Maduro and his wife were apprehended and flown out of Venezuela.
“The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the Country,” read part of the statement.
Also Read: Trump Announces Capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro
Trump’s Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Maduro will “finally face justice for his crimes.”
Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the government does not know the current whereabouts of President Nicolás Maduro or First Lady Cilia Flores.
Additionally, Rodríguez said authorities were demanding “immediate proof of life” for both leaders.
On the other hand, Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López ordered the immediate nationwide deployment of military forces following what he described as an unprecedented act of aggression against the country.
He said all military units had been placed on active deployment.
“They have attacked us, but they will not break us,” the defence minister said.
The capture and detention of Maduro has sparked condemnation from the United Nations, China, Russia, and other world powers. Former Vice President said the move does not make America safer.
“That Maduro is a brutal, illegitimate dictator does not change the fact that this action was both unlawful and unwise. We’ve seen this movie before. Wars for regime change or oil that are sold as strength but turn into chaos, and American families pay the price,” said Harris.
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