Trump Addresses Venezuelan Legitimacy Claims
President Donald Trump addressed remarks made by acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez regarding the continued legitimacy of Nicolás Maduro, characterizing them as a matter of political expediency. Speaking to journalists Monday aboard Air Force One during his return trip from Florida to Washington, Trump suggested Rodríguez’s statement was strategically motivated. “I think politically, maybe she has to say that,” the President stated, offering a nuanced perspective on the situation.
Trump further elaborated, acknowledging the complexities of the evolving relationship with Venezuela and expressing understanding towards Rodríguez’s position. He indicated a recognition that her public statements might be dictated by internal political pressures. This comes after a period of shifting dynamics following recent developments in the South American nation.
Maduro’s Legitimacy Asserted in NBC News Interview
Delcy Rodríguez publicly affirmed Nicolás Maduro’s position as the rightful leader of Venezuela during an exclusive interview with Kristen Welker, moderator of NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” conducted last week in Caracas. “I can tell you President Nicolás Maduro is the legitimate president,” Rodríguez declared, firmly stating her belief in Maduro’s authority. She also asserted the innocence of both Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, the First Lady, adding, “Both President Maduro and Cilia Flores are both innocent.”
These statements arrived shortly after Maduro and Flores were indicted on charges related to a narco-terrorism conspiracy. The couple subsequently entered pleas of not guilty in federal court in New York. The timing of Rodríguez’s comments has drawn attention, particularly given the ongoing legal proceedings against the Maduro administration.
US-Venezuela Relations and Potential Visits
Following Maduro’s apprehension, President Trump has publicly commended Delcy Rodríguez’s leadership and highlighted the prospective advantages of Venezuela’s substantial oil reserves for both nations. During the same NBC News interview, Rodríguez revealed she had received an invitation to visit the United States. This potential visit signals a possible shift in diplomatic engagement.
Adding to this, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, after a recent trip to Venezuela to engage with the new leadership, informed reporters prior to his departure that he, alongside other Cabinet members, and potentially President Trump himself, anticipate returning to the country. Ben Kamisar of NBC News reported on these developments as a national political reporter.
