In accordance with the court's ruling, Delcy Rodriguez will temporarily lead Venezuela with the aim of "ensuring administrative continuity and comprehensive protection of the country."
In her televised address to the nation on the evening of January 3, she emphasized that the only legitimate president of the country is Nicolas Maduro. Delcy Rodriguez also noted that the Venezuelan authorities are striving for his release and stressed that the country will not become a colony.
On the same day, just hours before her speech, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a military operation in Venezuela, stating that Nicolas Maduro is no longer the president. He added that the United States would take control of the country during the transitional period.
On the night of January 3, during the American military operation, Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were detained and taken out of Venezuela. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi reported that charges of "narcoterrorism" have been brought against them, and they will soon face trial in New York.
According to the constitutional norms of Venezuela, the vice president can perform the duties of the president for a period of up to 90 days in case of the temporary absence of the head of state, with the possibility of extending this period for another 90 days by decision of the National Assembly.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the actions of the United States against Venezuela and called for the release of Nicolas Maduro. That same evening, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had a phone conversation with Delcy Rodriguez.
Source: expert.ru
