‘They’re highly effective’: Venezuela’s appearing president ‘not afraid’ of ‘diplomatic conflict’ with US; urges ‘respect’ for Maduro

Venezuela’s appearing president Delcy Rodriguez on Thursday mentioned her authorities was “not afraid” of a diplomatic confrontation with the US, even and referred to as on Washington to point out “respect for the dignity” of her predecessor Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted in a US navy strike.“Now we have requested of the federal government of the US… respect for the dignity of president Nicolas Maduro and respect for the dignity and integrity of the primary girl” Cilia Flores, who can be in custody, Rodriguez mentioned in an deal with to parliament, as quoted by AFP.Maduro and Flores had been taken by US forces to New York to face drug trafficking costs, after the vp Rodriquez was recognised as interim chief offered her authorities stays with Washington, significantly on entry to Venezuela’s huge oil assets.Rodriguez additionally mentioned her authorities was “not afraid” of a diplomatic confrontation with the US. “We all know they’re very highly effective, we all know they’re a deadly nuclear energy… We aren’t afraid to confront them diplomatically, by political dialogue,” she mentioned. Rodriguez, a Maduro ally, is taken into account somebody US President Donald Trump is keen to work with, offered she aligns with Washington’s directives.Rodriguez had spoken by phone on Wednesday with US President Donald Trump, who described her as “a terrific particular person.”Trump mentioned on social media that he and Rodriguez had mentioned “many subjects,” together with oil, minerals, commerce and nationwide safety. “We’re making great progress,” he added.In a separate improvement almost about oil, Rodriguez, throughout her parliament deal with, introduced plans to reform the nation’s oil laws as she seeks to recalibrate relations with Washington.With out providing specifics, Rodriguez advised parliament that the reforms would deal with Venezuela’s anti-blockade legislation, which supplies the federal government instruments to counteract US sanctions imposed since 2019.Since Maduro’s seize, President Donald Trump has claimed that the US now controls Venezuela and its oil sector, demanding what he describes as unfettered entry.Rodriguez has been navigating a diplomatic tightrope, making an attempt to fulfill Trump’s calls for with out alienating Maduro loyalists who management Venezuela’s safety forces and feared paramilitaries.She described her name with the US chief as “productive and courteous” and characterised by “mutual respect.”On Thursday, Rodriguez mentioned that if she should ever go to Washington as interim president, “I’ll go standing, strolling, not dragged.”Whereas Trump has to date chilly‑shouldered Venezuela’s opposition, which is extensively thought-about to have received the July 2024 presidential elections, on Thursday he met opposition chief Maria Corina Machado for what the White Home referred to as “optimistic” talks.