Khaberni - The interim Venezuelan President, Delcy Rodríguez, announced that the country is entering a "new political era" following the overthrow of the imprisoned President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, during an American military operation.
Rodríguez, in her first press conference held inside the Miraflores presidential palace in the Venezuelan capital of Caracas since taking office, said, "The message today is clear: Venezuela is opening up to a new political era, an era built on understanding despite differences, and through political and ideological diversity."
The interim president revealed that Caracas had released 406 political prisoners since December, in a process she said began under Maduro and is still ongoing, affirming the continued efforts to release more detainees who were arrested during his tenure.
Phone Call
Later on Wednesday evening, Rodríguez said she had a "long, fruitful, and proper phone call" with U.S. President Donald Trump, where they discussed a joint work agenda for the benefit of both countries.
For his part, Trump said he discussed with the interim president of Venezuela issues including oil, minerals, trade, and national security, and talked about significant progress in efforts to help Venezuela stabilize and recover.
Trump added that "the partnership between the United States and Venezuela will be great for everyone," and that "Venezuela will soon return to its greatness and prosperity, perhaps more than ever before."
In another development, the U.S. Senate on Wednesday evening rejected a resolution that would prevent President Trump from undertaking another military action in Venezuela without Congress's approval.
Constitutional Oath
Rodríguez, who served as the vice president since 2018 and managed the intelligence services and the oil sector in the country, took the constitutional oath as interim president two days after the arrest of Maduro by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and the announcement by Washington of managing a transitional phase in Venezuela.
Although Trump had imposed sanctions on Rodríguez during his first term for human rights violations accusations, he agreed to cooperate with her in the current phase as long as she complies with Washington's line, according to his statements.
He also warned her of facing a "fate worse than Maduro's" if she does not adhere to his directions.
The U.S. military launched an attack on Venezuela on January 3, during which they arrested President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and took them to the United States.
Trump announced that his country would manage the affairs of Venezuela during a transitional period, and would send its companies to invest in the oil sector, without specifying a timeline.
