Venezuela's Interim President Delcy Rodríguez Shakes Up Cabinet and Proposes Oil Reform
In her first State of the Union address, Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, echoed her predecessors' fiery rhetoric while aligning herself with President Trump's agenda. The address came after Rodríguez's recent consolidation of power, which followed the ousting of Nicolás Maduro by the United States. During her speech, she proposed significant oil reform and pledged to defend Venezuela's economic rights.
Background: A New Era for Venezuela
Rodríguez assumed the role of interim president after the U.S. seized Maduro, marking a significant shift in Venezuela's political landscape. Her ascent to power was marked by a reshaping of the Cabinet and security apparatus, moves that were welcomed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Moreover, the release of dozens of political prisoners signalled a potential break from the past.
Major Changes and Oil Reform
In her address, Rodríguez announced her plans to form a national committee to defend Venezuela's economic rights and develop production. Part of this plan includes a significant oil reform proposal, though specific details about the reform were not disclosed.
She also made several key changes in her cabinet. Rodríguez dismissed Álex Saab, who was appointed as Minister of Industry in December 2024, and who had been detained in the United States from 2021 to the end of 2023. Saab was released as part of a prisoner exchange for Americans being held in Venezuela. His dismissal came as Rodríguez decided on the fusion of the Ministry of Popular Power for Industries and National Production with the Ministry of National Trade.
Controversy and Human Rights
However, Rodríguez's leadership has not been without controversy. According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the interim president has appeared in U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) intelligence files dating back several years. She was labeled as a priority target
in 2022, though she has never been publicly accused of any wrongdoing.
On the human rights front, the NGO Foro Penal reported the release of another 16 political prisoners, although their names or nationalities have not been disclosed. This decision builds on Rodríguez's previous move to release several political prisoners, marking what some may see as a positive shift in Venezuela's human rights record.
Conclusion
Rodríguez’s tenure as interim President of Venezuela has been marked by significant changes, both in terms of cabinet reshuffling and policy proposals. Her decisions to dismiss Saab, propose oil reform, and release political prisoners have all been seen as significant steps towards a new political environment in the country. However, her past DEA priority target
status may cast a shadow on her leadership. As Venezuela enters a new era, the world watches with bated breath to see how these changes will unfold.