Overview
- President Donald Trump asserted that U.S. forces captured Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores during an operation in Venezuela, while Vice President Delcy Rodríguez requested a proof of life for both.
- The New York Times, citing unnamed sources, reported that Rodríguez remains under protection in Caracas and is being positioned by the ruling party as the successor.
- The New York Times also reported that Rodríguez was sworn in as interim president in a private ceremony in Caracas, a claim not confirmed by any public, official announcement.
- Under Venezuela’s constitution, the vice president is first in the presidential line of succession; Rodríguez has held senior posts since 2013 and has close political ties to her brother Jorge Rodríguez, who leads the National Assembly.
- Trump told Fox News he would have to analyze potential support for opposition leader María Corina Machado and, in separate comments reported by Spanish media, claimed Rodríguez recently spoke with Senator Marco Rubio.