Delcy Rodríguez has been sworn in as Venezuela's interim president following the dramatic capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces on January 3, 2026. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were reportedly taken to New York to face criminal charges, an event that has profoundly shifted Venezuela's political landscape. In her first statements as interim leader, Rodríguez vehemently criticized the United States, accusing the former US President Donald Trump's administration of 'energy greed' and using 'false' claims about drug trafficking, democracy, and human rights as pretexts to seize Venezuela's vast oil reserves. She asserted that the US's true motivation has always been to control the South American nation's immense energy resources. In a clear strategic pivot, Rodríguez declared Venezuela's willingness to forge new energy relations that benefit all parties, explicitly mentioning openness for economic cooperation with countries like Russia and China through well-defined commercial contracts. This stance comes as Russia and China have historically provided significant support to the Maduro government and have substantial interests in Venezuela's energy sector. Meanwhile, former President Trump had publicly stated that the US would 'run' Venezuela and control its oil for years, claiming cooperation from the Venezuelan regime and offering to help rebuild its oil infrastructure. Rodríguez, however, initially denied any cooperation with Trump's claims, reiterating that Maduro was Venezuela's only legitimate president before assuming her interim role. The rapidly evolving situation highlights the ongoing geopolitical struggle for influence over Venezuela's strategic resources and its future trajectory.