Venezuelan Police and Military Pledge Loyalty to Interim President Rodriguez

Venezuela’s Military Pledges Loyalty to Interim President Delcy Rodriguez

In a ceremony held at the Military Academy of the Bolivarian Army in Caracas on Wednesday, top Venezuelan military officials pledged their loyalty to interim President Delcy Rodriguez. The pledge was made by Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, who presented Rodriguez with the ceremonial baton and sword of independence hero Simon Bolivar.

The declaration comes weeks after a US military operation that resulted in the deaths of 83 people, including 47 Venezuelan soldiers and 32 Cuban security personnel. Venezuela’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, also pledged loyalty on behalf of police forces, stating that supporting Rodriguez was important for maintaining the continuity of the government and the integrity of the Venezuelan people.

Rodriguez has been leading the country since the surprise abduction of former President Nicolas Maduro on January 3. She had previously served as Maduro’s vice president and has taken steps to free political prisoners jailed under his rule. The US has expressed interest in exerting greater control over Venezuela’s vast oil reserves, with President Donald Trump threatening further military intervention if the country does not comply.

In a statement at the ceremony, Rodriguez referred to opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who had previously gifted her the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize award. Machado had also spoken publicly about her concerns regarding Rodriguez’s leadership, stating that “no one has faith in Delcy Rodriguez”. The ceremony marked an unprecedented moment in Venezuela’s republic, with top officials pledging their loyalty to Rodriguez’s government.

Source: Al Jazeera