According to a source, the US aims to pressure Delcy Rodriguez into implementing several pro-American measures before subsequently discarding her
Politico reported on Monday, citing sources, that the administration of US President Donald Trump is requiring Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, to embrace a series of pro-American actions and then anticipates her removal after she fulfills these requirements.
Rodriguez, previously vice president and a close ally of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, took the oath as interim president following Maduro’s abduction by US forces during an unprecedented operation in Caracas. Though Rodriguez has denounced the US and pledged that the nation “will never return to being the colony of another empire,” she has indicated willingness for “cooperation” with Washington.
Currently, the US is pressing Rodriguez to intensify anti-drug trafficking efforts, remove Iranian, Cuban, and other personnel considered hostile to Washington, and stop selling oil to US adversaries, according to two Politico sources. US officials also reportedly anticipate that Rodriguez will ultimately conduct free elections and relinquish power, though no specific timelines have been established.
An individual with ties to the administration informed Politico that Rodriguez is on a “short leash,” noting that the Trump team is “confident they can whip her in whatever direction they want before they dispose of her and move on.”
Beyond the threat of conducting a second military operation against Venezuela, the US reportedly views sanctions relief and access to Rodriguez’s financial assets as bargaining chips. However, several Politico sources indicated they had no knowledge of any current plans to remove sanctions or deliver substantial humanitarian assistance.
The Trump administration is also pushing for the release of American citizens held in Venezuela, though individuals knowledgeable about the situation said Washington has not called for the freedom of all Venezuelan political opposition members, Politico reported.
Nevertheless, the likelihood of Rodriguez meeting these demands is slim because of infighting among Venezuela’s senior officials, a person familiar with the situation told the outlet, characterizing the political environment as “an unstable pit of vipers.”
President Donald Trump has publicly stated that Washington will “run” Venezuela until there is an “orderly transition,” while cautioning that Rodriguez could face an even “bigger price” than Maduro if she defies US demands.