YOGYAKARTA - Delcy Rodriguez's figure is in the public spotlight. He was appointed as interim president (ad interim) of Venezuela after the country's leader, Nicolas Maduro, was arrested by the US military in a military operation launched on Saturday, January 3, 2026 in the early hours. After the arrest, Maduro was detained in Broklyn, New York, USA with charges of involvement in the drug cartel.
Rodriguez, who previously served as Vice President of Venezuela, began his role as interim leader of Venezuela on Saturday afternoon.
This change in role is in line with the provisions in the Venezuelan constitution, especially Articles 233 and 234, which stipulate that the vice president takes over the duties of the president in the event of the temporary or permanent absence of the head of state.
After being appointed as interim president, Rodriguez immediately criticized the United States for arresting Maduro.
"What is being done to Venezuela is a cruelty that violates international law. History and justice will make the extremists who promote this armed aggression pay for their deeds," Rodriguez said in his first speech, quoted from The Guardian website, Monday, January 5, 2026.
Delcy Rodriguez's figureDelcy Rodriguez is known for her anti-imperialist rhetoric until Maduro dubbed her a "female tiger". She was born in Caracas, Venezuela on May 18, 1969.
Quoted from the Al Jazeera website, Delcy Rodriguez is the daughter of Jorge Antonio Rodriguez, a left-wing fighter and founder of the Socialist League Party in the 1970s.
Delcy Rodriguez's childhood was marked by tragedy. Her father died in late 1976 after being tortured while in police custody. This event reflects the political conditions of Venezuela at that time, where many activists experienced repression, including Nicolas Maduro in his youth.
After adulthood, Delcy Rodriguez went to higher education at the Central University of Venezuela. He earned a law degree and started a professional career as a lawyer before finally entering politics.
Delcy Rodriguez's political career has skyrocketed in the last two decades. In 2013-2014, he was appointed Minister of Communications and Informatics. Furthermore, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela in the period 2014-2017.
In 2017, Delcy was entrusted to lead the pro-government Constituent Assembly, an important institution in the national political dynamics. In addition, he also held strategic positions as Minister of Finance and Minister of Petroleum, which he carried out in conjunction with his position as Vice President of Venezuela.
In this role, Delcy Rodriguez has become a key figure in managing the national economy, especially amid the weakening of the private sector and global economic pressures.
Delcy Rodriguez is known for implementing orthodox economic policies to suppress the rate of hyperinflation. He also received a direct mandate from President Nicolas Maduro to face the impact of US sanctions that are pressing Venezuela's vital industries.
For his loyalty and his firm stance in defending the socialist government, Maduro dubbed Delcy Rodriguez as a "tiger".
When appointing her as vice president in June 2018, Maduro called her a brave, experienced woman, the daughter of a martyr, and a revolutionary who has been tested in various struggles.
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