Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodriguez has urged the United States to engage in dialogue, emphasizing that peace, rather than war, is the preferred stance of the Latin American nation. This call comes after a US operation resulted in the seizure of President Nicolas Maduro, who was taken out of the country to face charges.
Rodriguez, who assumed the role of interim president after Maduro’s abduction, stressed that the Venezuelan people deserve peace and dialogue. She wrote on Telegram, “President Donald Trump, our peoples and our region deserve peace and dialogue, not war.” Rodriguez also called for a balanced and respectful relationship with the US, proposing cooperation aimed at shared development.
The US raid, which included air strikes in Caracas and other states, led to Maduro’s capture, along with his wife, Cilia Flores. Washington has indicted the pair on charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and weapons offenses. Maduro has consistently denied any links to drug trafficking, claiming that the allegations are a pretext for regime change in Venezuela.
The latest US operation follows decades of strained relations between the two countries, marked by diplomatic rifts, unilateral sanctions, and mutual accusations. The US had refused to recognize Maduro as Venezuela’s legitimate president. Rodriguez has demanded Maduro’s immediate release, stating that Venezuela will not be colonized or enslaved by another empire.
In response to Rodriguez’s statements, US President Donald Trump warned her that she would face a “bigger price” than her predecessor if she does not comply with US demands. The situation has significant implications for the region, with Venezuela’s interim president seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The US operation has sparked concerns about the future of Venezuela and its relations with the international community.