Delcy Rodriguez Venezuela President Swearing-in 2026: New Leadership Under US Shadow

They've shaken hands, but the strings are being pulled from Washington. Just three days after Nicolas Maduro was abducted in a daring United States military operation, Venezuela has a new leader. According to Al Jazeera, on January 5, 2026, former Vice President Delcy Rodriguez officially took the oath of office, stepping into a volatile political vacuum.

The Delcy Rodriguez Venezuela President Swearing-in and the Chavista Legacy

Rodriguez appeared before the National Assembly on Monday to formalize her role. During her address, she condemned the capture of Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores as a kidnapping of heroes. Despite her staunch opposition to the US military strike, she pledged to work tirelessly for the country's economic and social tranquility. The ceremony was overseen by her brother, Jorge Rodriguez, and attended by Maduro’s inner circle, signaling a desperate attempt to maintain internal cohesion.

While Rodriguez was being sworn in, Maduro faced an arraignment in a New York City courthouse. Charged with four counts related to narco-terrorism and cocaine importation, the former leader maintained his defiance. "I am still president," he told the court, while his allies in Caracas denounced the proceedings as a violation of international law.

Trump’s Ambitions: Oil Reserves and "Fixing" a Broken Country

The administration of Donald Trump has signaled a temporary willingness to work with Rodriguez, but with heavy conditions. Trump warned that if she doesn't "do what's right," she will pay a price even bigger than Maduro's. On Air Force One, Trump was blunt: "Don’t ask me who’s in charge... We’re in charge."

The US focus seems to have shifted from immediate democracy-building to practical resource management. Trump avoided commitment to new elections, instead highlighting the need to "fix" the country’s oil industry. By allowing US oil companies access to Venezuela's vast reserves, the administration aims to stabilize the global energy market while maintaining a tight grip on the Venezuelan political transition.