Delcy Rodríguez Adopts a Cooperative Stance With the US Following Donald Trump's Warning

The nation's acting president, Delcy Rodríguez, has offered to work with the US government, dialing back from the defiant posture she initially displayed after the capture of former dictator Nicolás Maduro.

An Announcement of Cooperation

In a statement issued Sunday night, Rodríguez declared she had "invited the American administration to cooperate on an framework of joint work."

Her remarks came just hours after ex-President Donald Trump warned that Rodríguez could "pay a very big price, probably more severe than Maduro" if she failed to comply with his demands.

Transition of Power in the Country

Rodríguez has assumed de facto control of Venezuela since Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were captured over the weekend. The couple were taken to New York and are due to appear at a federal court in Manhattan.

She was sworn in as president by the supreme court on Saturday. The following day, the military leadership agreed to recognise her leadership, while simultaneously calling for the immediate release of Maduro and his wife.

Trump's Comments and Approach

Following the shocking capture of Maduro, Trump claimed that the United States would now "manage" Venezuela "until we can do a orderly and lawful transition." He also added that communication had been established with Rodríguez.

On Sunday, he warned that the US might initiate a second strike if remaining members of the administration do not cooperate with his plans to get the country "back on track."

Trump's actions have effectively marginalized the nation's political opposition, lead by Nobel laureate María Corina Machado. This strategy has been widely criticised by observers who contend that the existing power framework remains largely intact – simply without Maduro at its head.

Rodríguez's Evolving Position

In her first public appearance after Maduro's capture, Rodríguez first adopted a defiant tone, proclaiming that Venezuela would "never again be any other nation's colony."

However, on Sunday night, after presiding over a government meeting, she struck a markedly more conciliatory tone. Rodríguez issued a communication stating she considered a "stable and mutual relationship" with the United States to be a priority.

"We extend an invitation the United States government to collaborate on an agenda of cooperation, focused on shared development, within the framework of international law, and that strengthens enduring peace," she added.

An Open Address to Trump

Addressing the former US president directly, she wrote: "Mr. Trump: our nations and our region deserve dialogue and peace, not war. That has consistently been President Nicolás Maduro’s conviction and it is that of all Venezuela at this moment."

"This nation I believe in and to which I have dedicated my life. My dream is for Venezuela to become a great power where all patriotic Venezuelans can come together. Venezuela has the right to peace, development, sovereignty and a future," she added.

Contrasting Signals

Alongside the cooperative language, the administration – and Rodríguez herself, via her official channel – later honored several dozen "Cuban security personnel" who were part of Maduro’s personal security and who perished "as a consequence of the unlawful and reprehensible attack carried out by the United States."

Previously that day, the defence minister, Gen Vladímir Padrino López, had stated that US troops had "cold-bloodedly assassinated much of [Maduro’s] protection team, military personnel and innocent civilians," without providing names or a death toll.