After the dramatic arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by the US military, the political landscape in the country has shifted dramatically. Former Vice President Delcy Rodríguez has now been backed by US President Donald Trump to lead the nation, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the region.
The capture of Maduro, who has been accused of presiding over a “criminal” regime, has been celebrated by the opposition leader María Corina Machado. Machado, a prominent figure in the fight against Maduro’s government, has expressed confidence that this development will signal the end of the embattled president’s hold on power.
“This is a pivotal moment for Venezuela,” Machado said in a statement. “Maduro’s criminal regime has inflicted immense suffering on the Venezuelan people, and we are hopeful that this action by the US will pave the way for a new, democratic future for our country.”
The arrest of Maduro and his wife comes after years of political and economic turmoil in Venezuela. The country has been gripped by a severe economic crisis, with hyperinflation, shortages of food and medicine, and a mass exodus of its citizens seeking refuge in neighbouring countries.
Maduro’s government has been widely condemned for its authoritarian crackdown on dissent, with reports of human rights abuses and the suppression of free speech and press freedom. The decision by the US to intervene militarily has been met with a mixed response, with some praising the move as a necessary step to restore democracy, while others have expressed concern about the potential for further instability and violence.
In the wake of Maduro’s arrest, Trump has thrown his support behind Rodríguez, the former vice president, to lead the country. Rodríguez, who has been a vocal critic of Maduro’s regime, has pledged to work towards a “peaceful transition of power” and to address the pressing economic and humanitarian crises facing Venezuela.
“This is a critical juncture for Venezuela,” Rodríguez said in a televised address. “We must come together as a nation to heal the wounds of the past and build a better future for all Venezuelans. With the support of the international community, I am confident that we can overcome the challenges we face and restore democracy to our country.”
The situation in Venezuela remains fluid, with the fate of Maduro and the future leadership of the country still uncertain. However, the arrest of the president and the backing of a new leadership by the US has undoubtedly shifted the balance of power in the region, and has raised hopes among the Venezuelan opposition that the end of Maduro’s “criminal” regime may be in sight.
