Venezuela in Crisis: Who Is Really in Charge?

Uncertainty grips Venezuela. Citizens are questioning who leads the nation after a major political shake-up. Vice President Delcy Rodríguez is now interim president. She gave a defiant speech, condemning a recent U.S. operation and demanding the release of President Nicolás Maduro. She insists Maduro remains the country's only legitimate leader. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump claims Rodríguez later spoke with the U.S. Secretary of State. He says she told the Secretary, “We’ll do whatever you need.” This suggests possible secret cooperation with the United States. In her speech, Rodríguez also sidelined the main opposition leader. She said María Corina Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, lacks the "support or respect" to lead. We asked Steven Ekovich, Emeritus Professor of Political Sciences at the American University of Paris, for his analysis of the confusing situation.