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The Vice President of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez stated this Saturday that her government is willing to pursue a relationship “based on respect” and “within the framework of international legality,” just hours after the capture of Nicolás Maduro and the First Lady, Cilia Flores, in the context of a U.S. military operation.
Rodríguez made those statements from Caracas while demanding the "immediate release" of Maduro, whom he described as "the only president" of the country.
In his speech, he pointed out that "the Venezuelan people... are outraged" by what he described as an "illegal and illegitimate kidnapping" of both the president and Flores, and he emphasized that "all of Venezuela" has mobilized.
As an institutional response, Rodríguez indicated that the National Defense Council has been activated and that there was already a decree of “external commotion” “signed by President Maduro,” which —he said— would be delivered to the president of the Supreme Court of Justice for her “constitutional support” in the Constitutional Chamber.
He added that, while waiting for that support "in the next few hours," the provisions outlined in the decree would be implemented "starting from this moment."
In the political arena, the vice president stated that the country “will not be anyone's colony” and described what happened as “barbarism” which, according to her, “violates international law.”
In the same speech, he assured that the government was "ready to defend Venezuela" and its "natural resources," with an emphasis on "hydrocarbons" and "energy resources."
It was in that final stretch where Rodríguez laid down the condition for any subsequent conversations.
“We are open to respectful relations… within the framework of international legality and the laws of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” he concluded: “This is the only condition we will accept for any type of relationship” following what he described as an attack and military aggression against the nation and Caracas.
The appearance took place after Trump claimed that his team had spoken with Rodríguez and that she had expressed "a willingness" to Washington, although the transcript does not provide further details about that contact.
The U.S. president assured that his government will control Venezuela and its oil profits following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and that Delcy Rodríguez will lead a transitional government under conditions imposed by Washington.
From his residence in Mar-a-Lago, Trump stated that the United States will take control of the country "until there is a fair democratic transition," arguing that Venezuela's infrastructure is "rotten" and that the oil will be managed to benefit the population, but also to compensate the U.S. for past expropriations.
“We are going to lead this country correctly and we will ensure that the people of Venezuela are taken care of,” said Trump, who did not rule out new military actions if sectors of Chavismo attempt to regain control of the country.
One of the most controversial elements of his statements was the direct mention of the Venezuelan vice president. According to Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in talks with Delcy Rodríguez, whom he described as willing to “do what we believe needs to be done to make Venezuela great again,” even using the phrase Make Venezuela Great Again.
Trump stated that Rodríguez would assume leadership of a transitional government, while the United States would ensure security and manage strategic resources, especially oil. "We will draw a lot of money to take care of the country," he said, without specifying timelines or mechanisms.
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