Rodriguez, serving as the interim president, pressured the U.S. to resume oil production in Venezuela. She emphasized her position at a meeting with oil workers in Puerto La Cruz, where her words were broadcast on the state television channel Venezolana de Televisión: "Enough of these orders from Washington to Venezuelan politicians." She also added that internal disagreements and conflicts should be resolved within the country, reminding of the high price Venezuela paid in the fight against fascism and extremism.
Since the arrest of Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores in early January, when they were handed over to the U.S., the White House has continued to exert pressure on Venezuela. Rodriguez, who previously held the position of Maduro's deputy, insists that the U.S. does not control the country, while striving to avoid open confrontation with Washington.
After Maduro's arrest, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he intended to "manage" Venezuela, but later expressed support for Rodriguez as the interim authority.
Aiming for Stability
In Venezuela, which possesses vast oil reserves, tensions with the U.S. have persisted for over 25 years. Following Maduro's overthrow, Washington is seeking to find a stable source of power in Caracas. Within the country, there remains a divide between Maduro's supporters, leftist opposition, and "Chavistas against Maduro," who accuse him of betraying the ideals of socialism.
In early January, following U.S. strikes on Caracas, the Trump administration issued demands, including severing Venezuela's ties with China, Iran, Russia, and Cuba, as well as agreeing to cooperate only with the U.S. in the oil sector, as reported by senior White House officials to CNN. It was expected that Rodriguez would prioritize the interests of the Trump administration and American oil companies regarding oil sales.
Oil is a key factor in the Venezuelan economy. The country has the largest reserves of extra-heavy oil in the world, the processing of which requires a complex and costly process, but which is also well-suited for American refineries.
