Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez said on Tuesday that no foreign country was running Venezuela. She responded directly to US President Donald Trump, who claimed Washington would “run” the country during the transition after Nicolás Maduro’s removal.

Rodríguez, who served as vice president under Maduro, spoke three days after US special forces seized Maduro and his wife in a dramatic raid in Caracas. The operation followed US airstrikes.

“The government of Venezuela is in charge in our country, and no-one else,” Rodríguez said. “There is no foreign agent governing Venezuela.”

However, Trump has continued to insist that the United States is now “in charge” of Venezuela. At the same time, he has said he is willing to work with Rodríguez if she agrees to give Washington access to Venezuela’s vast oil reserves.

Mixed Signals From Interim Leader

Meanwhile, Rodríguez has sent mixed messages about her approach toward Trump. At times, she has sounded open to cooperation. At other moments, she has taken a defiant tone.

She also appears focused on keeping support from hardliners. These groups control the military, intelligence agencies, and armed pro-government paramilitaries. Since Maduro’s capture, these forces have increased patrols across major cities.

“We are a people that does not surrender, we are a people that does not give up,” Rodríguez said.
She also praised the “martyrs” killed during the US attacks.

Military Losses Confirmed

On Tuesday, Venezuela’s military confirmed casualties for the first time. Officials released a list of 23 soldiers killed in the US strikes. The dead included five generals.

Separately, Cuba — a key ally of Maduro — released its own list. Cuban authorities said 32 Cuban military personnel were killed. The list included two colonels and a lieutenant colonel. Many of them were reportedly part of Maduro’s security team.

However, Venezuela has not confirmed how many civilians died during the operation. The raid ended with US forces taking Maduro and Cilia Flores to the United States to face trial.

Attorney General Tarek William Saab said there were “dozens” of civilian and military deaths. He did not provide exact figures.

Supporters March as Fear Persists

After Maduro’s capture, thousands of his supporters marched through Caracas. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello joined the protest. Some demonstrators carried figurines of Maduro’s superhero character “Super Moustache.” Others wore red caps with his slogan: “No war, yes peace.”

Graffiti appeared in parts of the capital. One message read: “Trump, murderer.”

At the same time, fear of state retaliation stopped many Venezuelans from celebrating Maduro’s fall. Even longtime critics remained silent, worried about arrests or violence.

Maduro and Flores Face US Court

On Monday, Maduro and Flores appeared in court in New York. Both pleaded not guilty to drug trafficking and other charges. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum urged the United States to guarantee them a fair trial.

Power Balance Remains Unchanged

Rodríguez has tried to show unity with powerful figures from the old regime. She has appeared alongside Diosdado Cabello and Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López. Many see these men as the real power brokers in Venezuela.

Meanwhile, opposition leader María Corina Machado has raised serious concerns. Speaking to Fox News, she warned that Rodríguez could not be trusted.

“Delcy Rodriguez as you know is one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narcotrafficking,” Machado said.
“She’s the main ally and liaison with Russia, China, Iran, certainly not an individual that could be trusted by international investors.”

Signs of Ongoing Repression

Despite talk of change, signs of repression continue. On Monday, authorities detained 16 journalists and media workers, according to a journalists’ union. All were later released.

Trump has warned Rodríguez that she would face consequences if she refuses to follow Washington’s plans. He said she would pay “a very big price, probably bigger than Maduro.”

Oil, Elections and the Road Ahead

A retired Venezuelan general said Rodríguez may soon open the country to US oil and mining companies. He also suggested she might restore diplomatic ties with the United States, which Maduro cut in 2019.

The general added that Rodríguez could release political prisoners to ease international pressure over human rights.

Trump told Republican lawmakers that Maduro was a “violent guy” who “killed millions of people.” He also claimed Rodríguez’s government was “closing up” a torture centre in Caracas.

Under Venezuela’s constitution, Maduro can be formally declared absent after six months. Once that happens, elections must be held within 30 days.

Machado said she was confident of a landslide opposition victory.

“We would win over 90 percent of the votes,” she said, referring to elections that many believe the opposition already won in 2024.