Venezuelan Interim Leader Eases Tone on US Relations

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez Calls for Cooperative Relationship with US

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has stated her intention to establish a “balanced and respectful” relationship with the United States, as she seeks cooperation on future developments in Venezuela. In a Telegram post on Sunday, Rodriguez expressed her willingness to work together with the US government on an agenda aimed at shared development.

Following the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores by US special forces, Rodriguez was appointed interim leader by Venezuela’s Supreme Court on Saturday. In a televised address, she denounced the US actions as violating international law and insisted that “the only president of Venezuela is President Nicolas Maduro.”

Rodriguez has launched a commission to seek the release of Maduro and Flores from US detention, where they face charges related to narcotics trafficking and other crimes. The commission will be co-chaired by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil and Rodriguez’s brother Jorge, who is president of Venezuela’s National Assembly.

In a separate development, President Donald Trump has stated that further strikes on Venezuela could take place, and he would not rule out deploying US troops to the country. Trump also expressed his intention to hold Maduro accountable for alleged crimes, citing an influx of Venezuelan immigrants to the US and the country’s nationalization of US oil interests.

The situation has sparked protests in the US and around the world, with some criticizing Trump’s actions as a breach of international law and others expressing support for his stance.

Source: Al Jazeera