Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Delcy Rodríguez , who assumed the interim presidency of Venezuela , suggesting she could face a harsher fate than her predecessor if she does not fully cooperate with Washington. This dangerous escalation follows the surprise military operation by US special forces that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, an event that has shaken the international political establishment.
Details of the American threat and the unknown fate
In an exclusive telephone interview with the American magazine "The Atlantic," Trump made no secret of his hardline intentions toward the new leadership in Caracas. The US president stated unequivocally: "Unless Rodríguez does the right thing, she will pay a very heavy price, perhaps even more than Maduro." These remarks reflect the US administration's determination to reshape the political landscape in Venezuela to align with its interests, employing maximum military and diplomatic pressure to ensure no resistance from the remaining regime.
Context of the historical tension between Washington and Caracas
This dramatic event cannot be separated from the context of years of escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela. Washington has long considered the Maduro regime an "illegitimate dictatorship" and has imposed a series of harsh economic sanctions targeting the oil sector and government officials. Observers see this military operation as the culmination of the US administration's "maximum pressure" strategy, as the conflict has shifted from economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation to direct military intervention aimed at regime change by force.
International rejection and fears of a dangerous precedent
Internationally, the US military intervention sparked a wave of concern and condemnation, particularly in Latin America and Europe. Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, and Spain issued a joint statement expressing their firm rejection of unilateral military action. The statement emphasized that "the US military operation in Venezuela sets a very dangerous precedent for regional peace," stressing the need to resolve conflicts peacefully and diplomatically, without resorting to force.
Economic dimensions: Conflict over resources
The dimensions of the crisis extend beyond the political sphere, touching the very heart of the global economy, as Venezuela possesses the world's largest proven oil reserves. The joint international statement clearly acknowledged this point, expressing concern over "any attempt by external forces to control or seize Venezuela's strategic natural resources." The international community fears that the current political vacuum or foreign intervention could lead to instability in the global energy market, or that Venezuela could become an arena for open international conflict over its vast natural wealth.
