Delcy Rodríguez Urges Opponents to Stay in Washington as Trump’s Colonial Plan Faces Pressure

Delcy Rodríguez, interim president of Venezuela, negotiated Donald Trump’s “colonial plan” under pressure as the U.S. fleet remained stationed in the Caribbean, with the USS Gerald Ford still off the coast of Venezuela.

Revolution Permanente says the New York Times announced CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Delcy Rodríguez to “convey the message that the United States wished to improve their working relations,” notably in the fight against drug trafficking.

ABC

Le Monde reports that on Wednesday, January 28, Rodríguez indirectly targeted Maria Corina Machado by urging opponents “steeped in 'extremism' to 'stay in Washington'” during a ceremony that brought together about 3,200 soldiers at Fort Tiuna.

Le Figaro adds that the Venezuelan opposition demanded interim president Delcy Rodríguez call for a presidential election to fill the vacancy since Nicolás Maduro was abducted by U.S. forces on January 3, a request rejected on Monday.

Maria Corina Machado told reporters, “I think no one trusts Delcy Rodriguez,” after meeting Marco Rubio in Washington, as Le Monde described Washington’s “ambiguous relationship” with her while it prefers to deal with interim authorities.

Le Monde also quoted Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez saying, “We swear loyalty and absolute submission,” as the army and police swore fidelity to Rodríguez during the Fort Tiuna ceremony.

Anadolu Ajansı

In Oslo, Folha de S.Paulo reports Machado said Delcy Rodríguez “could end up like Nicolás Maduro or could facilitate the transition,” pressing Rodríguez to accept the process begun with Maduro’s capture by the United States in January.

Folha de S.Paulo further says Machado increased pressure on the Trump administration to schedule new elections and confirmed she will run in the election, while recalling Trump had said it would be “very difficult” for her to assume leadership because she “does not have support nor respect within her country.”

Le Figaro reports Machado argued the Venezuelan Constitution requires elections be called within 30 days in the event of total absence, and she said the opposition urged a new National Electoral Council and an update of the electoral register because 40% of Venezuelans of voting age are not registered.

Revolution Permanente says the U.S. pressure lever targets oil tankers leaving Venezuela and that on January 15 “a new ship was stopped by the U.S. military,” the sixth since the start of the aggression, with Reuters estimating new operations in coming days after about a dozen warrants.

Revolution Permanente also claims the first steps of Trump’s plan include an agreement between Caracas and Washington to hand over to the United States between 30 and 50 million barrels of oil, and it says Vitol benefited from a first agreement worth $250 million.

Folha de S.Paulo frames the stakes in human terms, quoting Machado saying “The economic situation is terrible, people are going hungry, and pensions are less than $1 per month,” while also saying she reported “more than 600 political prisoners have been released since January.”