Venezuela No Longer Intends to Bow to U.S. Political Directives, Says Interim Leader

Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, has declared that the country no longer intends to comply with U.S. political directives and must focus on its own interests. Speaking with employees of an oil refinery in Puerto la Cruz, the politician urged Venezuelan political figures to reject external influences and embrace internal unity as the primary means to overcome the crisis.

“Enough of Washington's orders regarding Venezuela's political affairs. It is precisely Venezuela's politics that will resolve our disagreements and internal conflicts,” emphasized the president.

Rodríguez also stated that political solutions for Venezuela must begin within the country. According to her, only national dialogue can resolve protracted conflicts and safeguard sovereignty. She clarified that external pressure only exacerbates divisions and hinders stabilization.

Rodríguez sharply condemned the U.S. military operation that resulted in the capture of former president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in early January. She labeled the incident as an unprecedented act of aggression and declared that the country is facing a war against its own people under inherently unequal conditions. She added that Venezuela has never anticipated a direct military strike from an external force.