Delcy Rodriguez

Delcy Rodriguez is the interim president of Venezuela, a position she assumed after the capture of former President Nicolas Maduro in January 2026. She is newsworthy due to the significant shift in relations between the US and Venezuela under her leadership, including the reestablishment of diplomatic ties and the reopening of the US embassy in Caracas after a seven-year hiatus. Recent developments include agreements with the US to develop mining in Venezuela. However, a UN fact-finding mission has warned of continued human rights abuses under her interim presidency, suggesting that the 'machinery' of repression is 'mutating.' Her relevance is further highlighted by US President Trump's expressed desire to be involved in selecting Iran's next supreme leader, drawing a comparison to his influence in Venezuela with Rodriguez, indicating her perceived alignment with US interests in the region.