CARACAS: Venezuela’s Supreme Court has ordered Vice President Delcy Rodríguez to take over presidential duties on a temporary basis after President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were reportedly abducted.
In a late-night ruling, the court said Rodríguez will assume all presidential powers to ensure continuity of government and the country’s overall defense. The judges stopped short of declaring Maduro permanently absent, a move that would have required new elections within 30 days.
Addressing the nation on state television, Rodríguez condemned what she called an armed aggression against the country. She said Venezuela’s Defense Council has been activated and further government measures will be announced in the coming hours. She added that Venezuela has a clear system of governance and remains open to dignified and lawful dialogue.
Rodríguez firmly rejected claims by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the United States would run Venezuela until a “safe transfer of power” is possible and that U.S. oil companies would move into the country. She said Venezuela would not become a colony of any nation and stressed that Maduro remains the country’s legitimate president.
“The president has been abducted,” Rodríguez said. “Nicolás Maduro remains the head of state in Venezuela, and our nation will protect its rights.”
According to the Venezuelan authorities, the U.S. has carried out an offensive with the objective of taking over the Venezuelan oil and mineral resources. They have made this argument based on the recent remarks made by the American government, which they say are in support of their claim, albeit indirectly.
Rodríguez called on citizens to remain calm, united, and patient. She said the government along with the population are ready to protect the country as well as its natural resources.
On the other hand, the government of Venezuela has called a special defense council to deal with what it has labeled an assault on the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
