U.S. Backs Former VP, Not Opposition Leader, for Venezuela's Top Job

The United States has chosen to support Delcy Rodríguez, a former vice president and close ally of Nicolás Maduro, to lead Venezuela's government. This decision sidelines opposition figure María Corina Machado, who won a primary election last year. Machado, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, remains banned by the Maduro-aligned Supreme Court from holding office. The U.S. move recognizes Rodríguez as Venezuela's "interim president." This shift in American policy comes from an agreement between the U.S. administration and former President Donald Trump. It aims to create a unified transitional government ahead of scheduled 2025 elections. Delcy Rodríguez, 55, is a powerful political operator. She served as Venezuela's vice president, foreign minister, and head of the pro-government legislature. The U.S. State Department once sanctioned her for undermining democratic processes. The support for Rodríguez is a major setback for Machado's supporters. It signals a practical U.S. approach to dealing with the existing power structure in Caracas. All sides state the ultimate goal is a free and fair presidential vote.