CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez continues in her temporary leadership role despite her court-mandated 90-day appointment ending last Friday, following Nicolás Maduro’s arrest by U.S. authorities in January.
The duration of Rodríguez’s continued presidency remains uncertain, as Venezuelan lawmakers have not held a public vote to extend her appointment beyond the Friday deadline.
The high court’s ruling maintains that Maduro retains his official presidential status, with his “forced” absence due to what officials call a “kidnapping” temporarily preventing him from carrying out presidential responsibilities.
Venezuela’s constitution allows the vice president — Rodríguez’s previous position — to serve during temporary presidential absences for up to 90 days, according to the constitutional article the court cited. The national assembly has the authority to extend these interim appointments for another 90-day period.
Should lawmakers declare the presidency permanently vacant, the National Assembly, which Rodríguez’s party controls, could call for emergency elections.
Government press officials have not responded to media inquiries about the situation.
Ronal Rodríguez, who studies Venezuelan politics at Colombia’s Universidad del Rosario Venezuela Observatory, noted the government’s history of using legal interpretations to maintain power, especially since Maduro assumed office in 2013.
“And it would be no surprise if they did so again now,” he said. “They will most likely try to come up with some kind of explanation, such as it being Good Friday or the way the days were counted, but in the end, everything will be validated by a ruling from the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.”
U.S. authorities arrested Maduro and his spouse, Cilia Flores, on January 3 in Caracas and transported them to New York to face drug trafficking accusations. Both individuals have entered not guilty pleas.
Rodríguez and other government officials have called for the couple’s release, characterizing their detention as an abduction. Similar demands appear on billboards and wall murals throughout Caracas.
The Trump administration surprised many Venezuelans by choosing to collaborate with Rodríguez after Maduro’s removal, rather than supporting opposition political groups. She has spearheaded cooperation with the administration’s step-by-step approach to resolving Venezuela’s multifaceted crisis, promoting her petroleum-rich country to global investors and opening the energy industry to private investment and international dispute resolution. Rodríguez has also dismissed key officials, including Maduro’s loyal defense secretary and chief prosecutor.
President Donald Trump has commended her efforts.
The U.S. Treasury Department removed sanctions against Rodríguez last week, while the State Department designated her as Venezuela’s “sole Head of State” last month.
The United States withdrew recognition of Maduro as Venezuela’s rightful leader in 2019, one year after he declared victory in an election widely viewed as fraudulent due to the exclusion of opposition parties and candidates.
