CARACAS, Venezuela — In a firm televised national address on Tuesday, Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodríguez delivered a sharp rebuttal to recent U.S. statements, asserting her nation’s complete sovereignty and denying any foreign influence over its governance. The declaration came as a direct response to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting Washington would oversee Venezuelan affairs during its political transition following the ousting of former leader Nicolás Maduro.
Rodríguez, addressing the nation from the presidential palace, emphasized that ‘The legitimate government of Venezuela exercises sole authority within our sovereign territory. No external actor holds governance power here.’ Her speech represented the most forceful diplomatic counter yet from Caracas amid escalating tensions with Western powers.
This exchange marks the latest development in the ongoing political crisis that has divided international alliances, with numerous nations recognizing opposition leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s legitimate president while Maduro’s administration maintains control with support from key military and international partners. The situation continues to evolve as diplomatic maneuvers intensify between global powers supporting opposing factions in the protracted leadership struggle.