Interim President Delcy Rodriguez discusses elections, amnesty, and US relations

Following the capture of Nicolas Maduro by the United States on January 3, 2024, interim president Delcy Rodriguez has pledged to hold free and fair elections in Venezuela, provided international sanctions are lifted. In an interview with NBC News, Rodriguez stated she has been invited to the U.S. to discuss cooperation after a visit by U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright to Caracas. While acting as president, she maintains that Maduro is the legitimate leader and is innocent of the drug and weapons charges he faces in U.S. custody. The Venezuelan parliament has begun debating a general amnesty law, intended to release individuals considered political prisoners by the opposition and NGOs. This legal move follows U.S. pressure and includes concessions to open Venezuela’s oil industry to American investors after years of mismanagement. The political climate remains tense, with the opposition still disputing the 2024 election results where Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia was claimed as the winner. Additionally, the National Electoral Council (CNE) has not released full tally sheets from that vote, citing a cyberattack.