Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in on Monday as interim president of Venezuela during a special session of the National Assembly, following a ruling by the Supreme Court that ordered her appointment after the detention of Nicolás Maduro, who remains in custody in the United States.

Her initial mandate will last 90 days, with the option of an extension.

The ceremony took place in the chavista-controlled Parliament and was led by National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodríguez, the new interim president’s brother. The court invoked Maduro’s “temporary absence” to justify the transfer of executive powers to Rodríguez.

In her inaugural address, Delcy Rodríguez directly linked her appointment to Maduro’s legal situation and strongly condemned the operation that led to his arrest. “I come as the executive vice president of the constitutional president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, to take this oath,” she said.

Rodríguez described the operation as an “illegitimate military aggression” and referred to the “kidnapping of two heroes held hostage in the United States,” referring to Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

She argued that the detention violates international law and undermines Venezuelan sovereignty.

The interim president pledged to uphold the Constitution, defend national territory and ensure political and social stability. “I swear that I will not rest until Venezuela reaches the destiny it deserves as a free, sovereign and independent nation,” she told lawmakers.

She also called for national unity and peace, urging all political and economic sectors to work together during what she described as a critical moment for the country.

Maduro´s Son

Maduro’s son, lawmaker Nicolás Maduro Guerra, publicly endorsed Delcy Rodríguez, expressing confidence that his father will regain his freedom. His remarks aimed to project internal unity within the ruling movement as Venezuela faces mounting political and diplomatic pressure.

The interim presidency now opens a new chapter in the country’s crisis, as the judicial process against Nicolás Maduro advances in the United States and the international community closely monitors developments in Caracas.