The acting president of Venezuela has publicly rebuked the United States, declaring her nation has “had enough” of foreign directives amid ongoing tensions following the U.S. capture of former leader Nicolás Maduro.
Addressing oil workers in the eastern Venezuelan city of Puerto La Cruz on Sunday, Delcy Rodríguez delivered a sharply worded message to Washington. Speaking on state-run television, she insisted the country will no longer accept orders from the United States and called for Venezuelans to resolve their political challenges independently.
“Enough already of Washington’s orders over politicians in Venezuela,” Rodríguez said, urging that Caracas handle its internal disputes and conflicts without outside interference. She emphasized that foreign involvement has come at a high cost to the nation.
Rodríguez assumed leadership earlier this month following a controversial U.S. operation that resulted in the arrest of Maduro. In the immediate aftermath, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Washington would play a major role in governing Venezuela. While Trump later endorsed Rodríguez as interim president, she is now pushing back against what she characterized as undue influence, even as U.S. pressure continues over issues including oil production and economic reform.
Her remarks underscore a growing sense of defiance in Caracas and signal a shift in tone as Venezuela navigates a complex political transition. Rodríguez has reiterated that Venezuela seeks diplomatic engagement on its terms and rejects what she described as attempts to dictate the nation’s future.
The declaration also comes as Venezuela’s economy and political landscape remain deeply unsettled, with debates underway over how to reform the country’s vast oil sector — once tightly controlled under the late leader Hugo Chávez. Some proposed legislation would open parts of the industry to private and international investment, a significant departure from past policies.
As tensions persist between Caracas and Washington, Rodríguez’s statement marks a clear challenge to U.S. influence and reflects broader regional concerns over sovereignty and foreign intervention.
Reporting by Katy Moore.
